$150K in Durham = $150,000 in Flagstaff
Your $150K salary in Durham (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $150,000 in Flagstaff (COL 102). Flagstaff is more expensive — you'd need 0% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Durham $150K | Flagstaff $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,381 | $8,631 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $372 | $384 |
| Transport | $82 | $45 |
| Utilities | $155 | $195 |
| Internet | $62 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $5,960/month | $6,292/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Durham equivalent to in Flagstaff?
$150K in Durham (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $150,000 in Flagstaff (COL index 102). That's 0% less than your current salary.
If I move from Durham to Flagstaff keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Flagstaff are higher, so on the same $150K salary you'd have $332 less per month. You'd need to earn $150,000 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: $150K × (102 ÷ 102) = $150,000. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Durham to Flagstaff
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only