$75K in Lexington = $69,944 in Columbus
Your $75K salary in Lexington (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $69,944 in Columbus (COL 83). Columbus is cheaper — your money goes 7% further there.
Budget breakdown — $75K in both cities
What $75K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Lexington $75K | Columbus $75K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,491 | $4,397 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $365 | $353 |
| Transport | $60 | $40 |
| Utilities | $158 | $160 |
| Internet | $60 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $2,498/month | $2,686/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $75K in Lexington equivalent to in Columbus?
$75K in Lexington (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $69,944 in Columbus (COL index 83). That's 7% less than your current salary.
If I move from Lexington to Columbus keeping my $75K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $75K after moving to Columbus, you'd have $188 more per month after core expenses — because Columbus is cheaper than Lexington.
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: $75K × (83 ÷ 89) = $69,944. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Lexington to Columbus
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only