$80K in Knoxville = $78,161 in Augusta
Your $80K salary in Knoxville (COL 87) has the same purchasing power as $78,161 in Augusta (COL 85). Augusta is cheaper — your money goes 2% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Knoxville $80K | Augusta $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,690 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $361 | $353 |
| Transport | $45 | $42 |
| Utilities | $168 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $3,123/month | $2,875/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Knoxville equivalent to in Augusta?
$80K in Knoxville (COL index 87) has the same purchasing power as $78,161 in Augusta (COL index 85). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from Knoxville to Augusta keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Augusta, you'd have $-248 more per month after core expenses — because Augusta is cheaper than Knoxville.
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 × (85 ÷ 87) = $78,161. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Knoxville to Augusta
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only