$80K in Missoula = $78,351 in Houston
Your $80K salary in Missoula (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $78,351 in Houston (COL 95). Houston is cheaper — your money goes 2% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Missoula $80K | Houston $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,603 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,350 |
| Groceries | $376 | $357 |
| Transport | $45 | $90 |
| Utilities | $145 | $175 |
| Internet | $68 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $2,669/month | $3,020/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Missoula equivalent to in Houston?
$80K in Missoula (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $78,351 in Houston (COL index 95). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from Missoula to Houston keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Houston, you'd have $351 more per month after core expenses — because Houston is cheaper than Missoula.
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 × (95 ÷ 97) = $78,351. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Missoula to Houston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only