$120K in Houston = $117,474 in Wilmington
Your $120K salary in Houston (COL 95) has the same purchasing power as $117,474 in Wilmington (COL 93). Wilmington is cheaper — your money goes 2% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Houston $120K | Wilmington $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $7,155 | $6,705 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,550 |
| Groceries | $357 | $372 |
| Transport | $90 | $45 |
| Utilities | $175 | $158 |
| Internet | $65 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $5,118/month | $4,518/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Houston equivalent to in Wilmington?
$120K in Houston (COL index 95) has the same purchasing power as $117,474 in Wilmington (COL index 93). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from Houston to Wilmington keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Wilmington, you'd have $-600 more per month after core expenses — because Wilmington 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: $120K × (93 ÷ 95) = $117,474. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Houston to Wilmington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only