$100K in Idaho Falls = $140,230 in Austin
Your $100K salary in Idaho Falls (COL 87) has the same purchasing power as $140,230 in Austin (COL 122). Austin is more expensive — you'd need 40% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Idaho Falls $100K | Austin $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,838 | $6,321 |
| 1BR rent | $1,100 | $1,800 |
| Groceries | $365 | $372 |
| Transport | $35 | $50 |
| Utilities | $142 | $170 |
| Internet | $65 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $4,131/month | $3,864/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Idaho Falls equivalent to in Austin?
$100K in Idaho Falls (COL index 87) has the same purchasing power as $140,230 in Austin (COL index 122). That's 40% more than your current salary.
If I move from Idaho Falls to Austin keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Austin are higher, so on the same $100K salary you'd have $267 less per month. You'd need to earn $140,230 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: $100K × (122 ÷ 87) = $140,230. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Idaho Falls to Austin
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only