$120K in Madison = $120,000 in Charleston
Your $120K salary in Madison (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $120,000 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is more expensive — you'd need 0% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Madison $120K | Charleston $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,385 | $6,535 |
| 1BR rent | $1,650 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $384 | $376 |
| Transport | $62 | $55 |
| Utilities | $162 | $162 |
| Internet | $63 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $4,064/month | $3,979/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Madison equivalent to in Charleston?
$120K in Madison (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $120,000 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 0% less than your current salary.
If I move from Madison to Charleston keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Charleston are higher, so on the same $120K salary you'd have $85 less per month. You'd need to earn $120,000 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: $120K × (97 ÷ 97) = $120,000. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Madison to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only