$50K in Flagstaff = $50,000 in Durham
Your $50K salary in Flagstaff (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $50,000 in Durham (COL 102). Durham is more expensive — you'd need 0% 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 | Flagstaff $50K | Durham $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $3,056 | $2,973 |
| 1BR rent | $1,650 | $1,750 |
| Groceries | $384 | $372 |
| Transport | $45 | $82 |
| Utilities | $195 | $155 |
| Internet | $65 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $717/month | $552/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in Flagstaff equivalent to in Durham?
$50K in Flagstaff (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $50,000 in Durham (COL index 102). That's 0% less than your current salary.
If I move from Flagstaff to Durham keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Durham are higher, so on the same $50K salary you'd have $165 less per month. You'd need to earn $50,000 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: $50K × (102 ÷ 102) = $50,000. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Flagstaff to Durham
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only