$120K in Scottsdale = $99,487 in Charleston
Your $120K salary in Scottsdale (COL 117) has the same purchasing power as $99,487 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is cheaper — your money goes 17% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Scottsdale $120K | Charleston $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,905 | $6,535 |
| 1BR rent | $2,000 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $395 | $376 |
| Transport | $50 | $55 |
| Utilities | $215 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $4,180/month | $3,979/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Scottsdale equivalent to in Charleston?
$120K in Scottsdale (COL index 117) has the same purchasing power as $99,487 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 17% less than your current salary.
If I move from Scottsdale to Charleston keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Charleston, you'd have $-201 more per month after core expenses — because Charleston is cheaper than Scottsdale.
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 × (97 ÷ 117) = $99,487. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Scottsdale to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only