$50K in Louisville = $49,432 in St. Louis
Your $50K salary in Louisville (COL 88) has the same purchasing power as $49,432 in St. Louis (COL 87). St. Louis is cheaper — your money goes 1% further there.
Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities
What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Louisville $50K | St. Louis $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,994 | $2,965 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Groceries | $361 | $369 |
| Transport | $60 | $75 |
| Utilities | $162 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $1,051/month | $999/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in Louisville equivalent to in St. Louis?
$50K in Louisville (COL index 88) has the same purchasing power as $49,432 in St. Louis (COL index 87). That's 1% less than your current salary.
If I move from Louisville to St. Louis keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $50K after moving to St. Louis, you'd have $-52 more per month after core expenses — because St. Louis is cheaper than Louisville.
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: $50K × (87 ÷ 88) = $49,432. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Louisville to St. Louis
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only