$100K in Columbus = $178,022 in Boston
Your $100K salary in Columbus (COL 91) has the same purchasing power as $178,022 in Boston (COL 162). Boston is more expensive — you'd need 78% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Columbus $100K | Boston $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,071 | $5,904 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $3,000 |
| Groceries | $361 | $418 |
| Transport | $62 | $90 |
| Utilities | $155 | $185 |
| Internet | $60 | $70 |
| Left after essentials | $4,183/month | $2,141/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Columbus equivalent to in Boston?
$100K in Columbus (COL index 91) has the same purchasing power as $178,022 in Boston (COL index 162). That's 78% more than your current salary.
If I move from Columbus to Boston keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Boston are higher, so on the same $100K salary you'd have $2,042 less per month. You'd need to earn $178,022 to maintain the same standard of living.
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: $100K × (162 ÷ 91) = $178,022. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Columbus to Boston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only