$40K in Lexington = $49,438 in New Haven
Your $40K salary in Lexington (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $49,438 in New Haven (COL 110). New Haven is more expensive — you'd need 24% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Lexington $40K | New Haven $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,595 | $2,495 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,800 |
| Groceries | $365 | $410 |
| Transport | $60 | $82 |
| Utilities | $158 | $198 |
| Internet | $60 | $70 |
| Left after essentials | $602/month | -$65/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Lexington equivalent to in New Haven?
$40K in Lexington (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $49,438 in New Haven (COL index 110). That's 24% more than your current salary.
If I move from Lexington to New Haven keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in New Haven are higher, so on the same $40K salary you'd have $667 less per month. You'd need to earn $49,438 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: $40K × (110 ÷ 89) = $49,438. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Lexington to New Haven
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only