$80K in Durham = $69,020 in Columbia
Your $80K salary in Durham (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $69,020 in Columbia (COL 88). Columbia is cheaper — your money goes 14% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Durham $80K | Columbia $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,757 | $4,743 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,250 |
| Groceries | $372 | $365 |
| Transport | $82 | $45 |
| Utilities | $155 | $158 |
| Internet | $62 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,336/month | $2,865/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Durham equivalent to in Columbia?
$80K in Durham (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $69,020 in Columbia (COL index 88). That's 14% less than your current salary.
If I move from Durham to Columbia keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Columbia, you'd have $529 more per month after core expenses — because Columbia 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: $80K × (88 ÷ 102) = $69,020. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Durham to Columbia
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only