$80K in Melbourne = $74,182 in Flagstaff
Your $80K salary in Melbourne (COL 110) has the same purchasing power as $74,182 in Flagstaff (COL 102). Flagstaff is cheaper — your money goes 7% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Melbourne $80K | Flagstaff $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $3,200 | $4,890 |
| 1BR rent | $1,600 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $380 | $384 |
| Transport | $150 | $45 |
| Utilities | $130 | $195 |
| Internet | $62 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $878/month | $2,551/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Melbourne equivalent to in Flagstaff?
$80K in Melbourne (COL index 110) has the same purchasing power as $74,182 in Flagstaff (COL index 102). That's 7% less than your current salary.
If I move from Melbourne to Flagstaff keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Flagstaff, you'd have $1,673 more per month after core expenses — because Flagstaff is cheaper than Melbourne.
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 × (102 ÷ 110) = $74,182. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Melbourne to Flagstaff
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only