$150K in Fargo = $143,258 in Augusta
Your $150K salary in Fargo (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $143,258 in Augusta (COL 85). Augusta is cheaper — your money goes 4% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Fargo $150K | Augusta $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,631 | $8,256 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $369 | $353 |
| Transport | $50 | $42 |
| Utilities | $155 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $6,742/month | $6,441/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Fargo equivalent to in Augusta?
$150K in Fargo (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $143,258 in Augusta (COL index 85). That's 4% less than your current salary.
If I move from Fargo to Augusta keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to Augusta, you'd have $-301 more per month after core expenses — because Augusta is cheaper than Fargo.
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 × (85 ÷ 89) = $143,258. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Fargo to Augusta
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only