$80K in Melbourne = $72,000 in Fort Collins
Your $80K salary in Melbourne (COL 110) has the same purchasing power as $72,000 in Fort Collins (COL 99). Fort Collins is cheaper — your money goes 10% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Melbourne $80K | Fort Collins $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $3,200 | $4,763 |
| 1BR rent | $1,600 | $1,700 |
| Groceries | $380 | $384 |
| Transport | $150 | $55 |
| Utilities | $130 | $140 |
| Internet | $62 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $878/month | $2,419/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Melbourne equivalent to in Fort Collins?
$80K in Melbourne (COL index 110) has the same purchasing power as $72,000 in Fort Collins (COL index 99). That's 10% less than your current salary.
If I move from Melbourne to Fort Collins keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Fort Collins, you'd have $1,541 more per month after core expenses — because Fort Collins 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 × (99 ÷ 110) = $72,000. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Melbourne to Fort Collins
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only