$80K in Nashville = $62,143 in Columbia
Your $80K salary in Nashville (COL 112) has the same purchasing power as $62,143 in Columbia (COL 87). Columbia is cheaper — your money goes 22% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Nashville $80K | Columbia $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,643 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,250 |
| Groceries | $365 | $361 |
| Transport | $70 | $45 |
| Utilities | $170 | $152 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,592/month | $2,775/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Nashville equivalent to in Columbia?
$80K in Nashville (COL index 112) has the same purchasing power as $62,143 in Columbia (COL index 87). That's 22% less than your current salary.
If I move from Nashville to Columbia keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Columbia, you'd have $183 more per month after core expenses — because Columbia is cheaper than Nashville.
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 × (87 ÷ 112) = $62,143. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Nashville to Columbia
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only