$150K in Lexington = $156,742 in Wilmington
Your $150K salary in Lexington (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $156,742 in Wilmington (COL 93). Wilmington is more expensive — you'd need 4% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Lexington $150K | Wilmington $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,444 | $8,381 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,550 |
| Groceries | $365 | $372 |
| Transport | $60 | $45 |
| Utilities | $158 | $158 |
| Internet | $60 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $6,451/month | $6,194/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Lexington equivalent to in Wilmington?
$150K in Lexington (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $156,742 in Wilmington (COL index 93). That's 4% more than your current salary.
If I move from Lexington to Wilmington keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Wilmington are higher, so on the same $150K salary you'd have $257 less per month. You'd need to earn $156,742 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: $150K × (93 ÷ 89) = $156,742. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Lexington to Wilmington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only