$40K in Houston = $35,789 in Augusta
Your $40K salary in Houston (COL 95) has the same purchasing power as $35,789 in Augusta (COL 85). Augusta is cheaper — your money goes 11% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Houston $40K | Augusta $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,728 | $2,545 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $357 | $353 |
| Transport | $90 | $42 |
| Utilities | $175 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $691/month | $730/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Houston equivalent to in Augusta?
$40K in Houston (COL index 95) has the same purchasing power as $35,789 in Augusta (COL index 85). That's 11% less than your current salary.
If I move from Houston to Augusta keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Augusta, you'd have $39 more per month after core expenses — because Augusta is cheaper than Houston.
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: $40K × (85 ÷ 95) = $35,789. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Houston to Augusta
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only