$80K in Fort Lauderdale = $58,667 in Columbia
Your $80K salary in Fort Lauderdale (COL 120) has the same purchasing power as $58,667 in Columbia (COL 88). Columbia is cheaper — your money goes 27% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Fort Lauderdale $80K | Columbia $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,743 |
| 1BR rent | $2,600 | $1,250 |
| Groceries | $407 | $365 |
| Transport | $112 | $45 |
| Utilities | $195 | $158 |
| Internet | $70 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $1,673/month | $2,865/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Fort Lauderdale equivalent to in Columbia?
$80K in Fort Lauderdale (COL index 120) has the same purchasing power as $58,667 in Columbia (COL index 88). That's 27% less than your current salary.
If I move from Fort Lauderdale to Columbia keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Columbia, you'd have $1,192 more per month after core expenses — because Columbia is cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.
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 × (88 ÷ 120) = $58,667. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Fort Lauderdale to Columbia
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only