$80K in Lexington = $78,202 in Knoxville
Your $80K salary in Lexington (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $78,202 in Knoxville (COL 87). Knoxville 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 | Lexington $80K | Knoxville $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,790 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,300 |
| Groceries | $365 | $361 |
| Transport | $60 | $45 |
| Utilities | $158 | $168 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,797/month | $3,123/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Lexington equivalent to in Knoxville?
$80K in Lexington (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $78,202 in Knoxville (COL index 87). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from Lexington to Knoxville keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Knoxville, you'd have $326 more per month after core expenses — because Knoxville 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: $80K × (87 ÷ 89) = $78,202. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Lexington to Knoxville
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only