$50K in St. Louis = $52,299 in Columbus
Your $50K salary in St. Louis (COL 87) has the same purchasing power as $52,299 in Columbus (COL 91). Columbus is more expensive — you'd need 5% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities
What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | St. Louis $50K | Columbus $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,965 | $3,035 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,250 |
| Groceries | $369 | $361 |
| Transport | $75 | $62 |
| Utilities | $162 | $155 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $999/month | $1,147/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in St. Louis equivalent to in Columbus?
$50K in St. Louis (COL index 87) has the same purchasing power as $52,299 in Columbus (COL index 91). That's 5% more than your current salary.
If I move from St. Louis to Columbus keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Columbus are higher, so on the same $50K salary you'd have $148 less per month. You'd need to earn $52,299 to maintain the same standard of living.
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: $50K × (91 ÷ 87) = $52,299. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — St. Louis to Columbus
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only