$150K in Salem = $137,629 in Lexington
Your $150K salary in Salem (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $137,629 in Lexington (COL 89). Lexington is cheaper — your money goes 8% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Salem $150K | Lexington $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $7,706 | $8,444 |
| 1BR rent | $1,450 | $1,350 |
| Groceries | $380 | $365 |
| Transport | $72 | $60 |
| Utilities | $125 | $158 |
| Internet | $63 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $5,616/month | $6,451/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Salem equivalent to in Lexington?
$150K in Salem (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $137,629 in Lexington (COL index 89). That's 8% less than your current salary.
If I move from Salem to Lexington keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to Lexington, you'd have $835 more per month after core expenses — because Lexington is cheaper than Salem.
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: $150K × (89 ÷ 97) = $137,629. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Salem to Lexington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only