$50K in Durham = $52,451 in Eugene
Your $50K salary in Durham (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $52,451 in Eugene (COL 107). Eugene is more expensive — you'd need 5% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities
What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Durham $50K | Eugene $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,973 | $2,748 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $372 | $395 |
| Transport | $82 | $82 |
| Utilities | $155 | $128 |
| Internet | $62 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $552/month | $428/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in Durham equivalent to in Eugene?
$50K in Durham (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $52,451 in Eugene (COL index 107). That's 5% more than your current salary.
If I move from Durham to Eugene keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Eugene are higher, so on the same $50K salary you'd have $124 less per month. You'd need to earn $52,451 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: $50K × (107 ÷ 102) = $52,451. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Durham to Eugene
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only