$80K in Columbus = $85,275 in Madison
Your $80K salary in Columbus (COL 91) has the same purchasing power as $85,275 in Madison (COL 97). Madison is more expensive — you'd need 7% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Columbus $80K | Madison $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,857 | $4,543 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $361 | $384 |
| Transport | $62 | $62 |
| Utilities | $155 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $2,969/month | $2,222/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Columbus equivalent to in Madison?
$80K in Columbus (COL index 91) has the same purchasing power as $85,275 in Madison (COL index 97). That's 7% more than your current salary.
If I move from Columbus to Madison keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Madison are higher, so on the same $80K salary you'd have $747 less per month. You'd need to earn $85,275 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: $80K × (97 ÷ 91) = $85,275. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Columbus to Madison
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only