$75K in Lexington = $86,798 in Tempe
Your $75K salary in Lexington (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $86,798 in Tempe (COL 103). Tempe is more expensive — you'd need 16% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $75K in both cities
What $75K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Lexington $75K | Tempe $75K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,491 | $4,584 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,600 |
| Groceries | $365 | $380 |
| Transport | $60 | $55 |
| Utilities | $158 | $210 |
| Internet | $60 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $2,498/month | $2,277/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $75K in Lexington equivalent to in Tempe?
$75K in Lexington (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $86,798 in Tempe (COL index 103). That's 16% more than your current salary.
If I move from Lexington to Tempe keeping my $75K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Tempe are higher, so on the same $75K salary you'd have $221 less per month. You'd need to earn $86,798 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: $75K × (103 ÷ 89) = $86,798. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Lexington to Tempe
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only