$120K in Durham = $114,118 in Charleston
Your $120K salary in Durham (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $114,118 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is cheaper — your money goes 5% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Durham $120K | Charleston $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,705 | $6,535 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $372 | $376 |
| Transport | $82 | $55 |
| Utilities | $155 | $162 |
| Internet | $62 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $4,284/month | $3,979/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Durham equivalent to in Charleston?
$120K in Durham (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $114,118 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 5% less than your current salary.
If I move from Durham to Charleston keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Charleston, you'd have $-305 more per month after core expenses — because Charleston is cheaper than Durham.
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: $120K × (97 ÷ 102) = $114,118. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Durham to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only