$80K in Columbia = $36,782 in Lima

Your $80K salary in Columbia (COL 87) has the same purchasing power as $36,782 in Lima (COL 40). Lima is cheaper — your money goes 54% further there.

$80K in Columbia, SC
$4,643/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
$36,782/yr in Lima, PE
$2,509/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (20% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities

What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Columbia
$80K
Lima
$80K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$4,643$5,057
1BR rent$1,250$500
Groceries$361$380
Transport$45$150
Utilities$152$55
Internet$60$25
Left after essentials$2,775/month$3,947/month
To match your Columbia purchasing power in Lima, you'd need to earn $36,782/year (54% less than $80K). At that salary, you'd have $1,399/mo left after essentials — vs $2,775/mo in Columbia.

Frequently asked questions

What is $80K in Columbia equivalent to in Lima?

$80K in Columbia (COL index 87) has the same purchasing power as $36,782 in Lima (COL index 40). That's 54% less than your current salary.

If I move from Columbia to Lima keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Lima, you'd have $1,172 more per month after core expenses — because Lima is cheaper than Columbia.

How is the salary equivalent calculated?

The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $80K × (40 ÷ 87) = $36,782. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Columbia to Lima

$40K → $18,391$50K → $22,989$60K → $27,586$75K → $34,483$100K → $45,977$120K → $55,172$150K → $68,966
$80K in Lima → ColumbiaMoving from Columbia to LimaColumbia vs Lima — full comparisonCan I afford Columbia vs Lima on $80K?

Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only