$80K in Memphis = $85,783 in Lexington
Your $80K salary in Memphis (COL 83) has the same purchasing power as $85,783 in Lexington (COL 89). Lexington is more expensive — you'd need 7% 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 | Memphis $80K | Lexington $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,790 |
| 1BR rent | $1,100 | $1,350 |
| Groceries | $357 | $365 |
| Transport | $55 | $60 |
| Utilities | $170 | $158 |
| Internet | $55 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $3,320/month | $2,797/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Memphis equivalent to in Lexington?
$80K in Memphis (COL index 83) has the same purchasing power as $85,783 in Lexington (COL index 89). That's 7% more than your current salary.
If I move from Memphis to Lexington keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Lexington are higher, so on the same $80K salary you'd have $523 less per month. You'd need to earn $85,783 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 ÷ 83) = $85,783. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Memphis to Lexington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only