$100K in Dayton = $146,988 in Austin
Your $100K salary in Dayton (COL 83) has the same purchasing power as $146,988 in Austin (COL 122). Austin is more expensive — you'd need 47% 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 | Dayton $100K | Austin $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,029 | $6,321 |
| 1BR rent | $1,100 | $1,800 |
| Groceries | $361 | $372 |
| Transport | $60 | $50 |
| Utilities | $162 | $170 |
| Internet | $58 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $4,288/month | $3,864/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Dayton equivalent to in Austin?
$100K in Dayton (COL index 83) has the same purchasing power as $146,988 in Austin (COL index 122). That's 47% more than your current salary.
If I move from Dayton to Austin keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Austin are higher, so on the same $100K salary you'd have $424 less per month. You'd need to earn $146,988 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 × (122 ÷ 83) = $146,988. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Dayton to Austin
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only