$80K in McAllen = $91,282 in Billings
Your $80K salary in McAllen (COL 78) has the same purchasing power as $91,282 in Billings (COL 89). Billings is more expensive — you'd need 14% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | McAllen $80K | Billings $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,603 |
| 1BR rent | $950 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $338 | $369 |
| Transport | $35 | $42 |
| Utilities | $165 | $148 |
| Internet | $60 | $68 |
| Left after essentials | $3,509/month | $2,776/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in McAllen equivalent to in Billings?
$80K in McAllen (COL index 78) has the same purchasing power as $91,282 in Billings (COL index 89). That's 14% more than your current salary.
If I move from McAllen to Billings keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Billings are higher, so on the same $80K salary you'd have $733 less per month. You'd need to earn $91,282 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: $80K × (89 ÷ 78) = $91,282. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — McAllen to Billings
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only