$120K in San Diego = $70,541 in St. Louis
Your $120K salary in San Diego (COL 148) has the same purchasing power as $70,541 in St. Louis (COL 87). St. Louis is cheaper — your money goes 41% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | San Diego $120K | St. Louis $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,225 | $6,685 |
| 1BR rent | $2,600 | $1,300 |
| Groceries | $414 | $369 |
| Transport | $100 | $75 |
| Utilities | $130 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,916/month | $4,719/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in San Diego equivalent to in St. Louis?
$120K in San Diego (COL index 148) has the same purchasing power as $70,541 in St. Louis (COL index 87). That's 41% less than your current salary.
If I move from San Diego to St. Louis keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to St. Louis, you'd have $1,803 more per month after core expenses — because St. Louis is cheaper than San Diego.
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 × (87 ÷ 148) = $70,541. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — San Diego to St. Louis
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only