$80K in Durham = $75,294 in St. George
Your $80K salary in Durham (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $75,294 in St. George (COL 96). St. George is cheaper — your money goes 6% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Durham $80K | St. George $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,757 | $4,743 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,300 |
| Groceries | $372 | $372 |
| Transport | $82 | $40 |
| Utilities | $155 | $148 |
| Internet | $62 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $2,336/month | $2,820/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Durham equivalent to in St. George?
$80K in Durham (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $75,294 in St. George (COL index 96). That's 6% less than your current salary.
If I move from Durham to St. George keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to St. George, you'd have $484 more per month after core expenses — because St. George 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 × (96 ÷ 102) = $75,294. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Durham to St. George
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only