$100K in Durham = $158,824 in Boston
Your $100K salary in Durham (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $158,824 in Boston (COL 162). Boston is more expensive — you'd need 59% 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 | Durham $100K | Boston $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,946 | $5,904 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $3,000 |
| Groceries | $372 | $418 |
| Transport | $82 | $90 |
| Utilities | $155 | $185 |
| Internet | $62 | $70 |
| Left after essentials | $3,525/month | $2,141/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Durham equivalent to in Boston?
$100K in Durham (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $158,824 in Boston (COL index 162). That's 59% more than your current salary.
If I move from Durham 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 $1,384 less per month. You'd need to earn $158,824 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 ÷ 102) = $158,824. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Durham to Boston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only