$120K in Raleigh = $116,436 in Richmond
Your $120K salary in Raleigh (COL 101) has the same purchasing power as $116,436 in Richmond (COL 98). Richmond is cheaper — your money goes 3% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Raleigh $120K | Richmond $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,705 | $6,575 |
| 1BR rent | $1,700 | $1,600 |
| Groceries | $365 | $369 |
| Transport | $70 | $70 |
| Utilities | $150 | $155 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $4,360/month | $4,321/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Raleigh equivalent to in Richmond?
$120K in Raleigh (COL index 101) has the same purchasing power as $116,436 in Richmond (COL index 98). That's 3% less than your current salary.
If I move from Raleigh to Richmond keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Richmond, you'd have $-39 more per month after core expenses — because Richmond is cheaper than Raleigh.
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: $120K × (98 ÷ 101) = $116,436. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Raleigh to Richmond
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only