$100K in Phoenix = $98,000 in Richmond
Your $100K salary in Phoenix (COL 100) has the same purchasing power as $98,000 in Richmond (COL 98). Richmond is cheaper — your money goes 2% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Phoenix $100K | Richmond $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,113 | $5,838 |
| 1BR rent | $1,500 | $1,600 |
| Groceries | $369 | $369 |
| Transport | $64 | $70 |
| Utilities | $210 | $155 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $3,910/month | $3,584/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Phoenix equivalent to in Richmond?
$100K in Phoenix (COL index 100) has the same purchasing power as $98,000 in Richmond (COL index 98). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from Phoenix to Richmond keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Richmond, you'd have $-326 more per month after core expenses — because Richmond is cheaper than Phoenix.
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: $100K × (98 ÷ 100) = $98,000. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Phoenix to Richmond
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only