$75K in Durham = $65,441 in Lexington
Your $75K salary in Durham (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $65,441 in Lexington (COL 89). Lexington is cheaper — your money goes 13% further there.
Budget breakdown — $75K in both cities
What $75K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Durham $75K | Lexington $75K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,459 | $4,491 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,350 |
| Groceries | $372 | $365 |
| Transport | $82 | $60 |
| Utilities | $155 | $158 |
| Internet | $62 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,038/month | $2,498/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $75K in Durham equivalent to in Lexington?
$75K in Durham (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $65,441 in Lexington (COL index 89). That's 13% less than your current salary.
If I move from Durham to Lexington keeping my $75K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $75K after moving to Lexington, you'd have $460 more per month after core expenses — because Lexington 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: $75K × (89 ÷ 102) = $65,441. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Durham to Lexington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only