$120K in St. Louis = $55,172 in Lima
Your $120K salary in St. Louis (COL 87) has the same purchasing power as $55,172 in Lima (COL 40). Lima is cheaper — your money goes 54% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | St. Louis $120K | Lima $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,685 | $7,155 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $500 |
| Groceries | $369 | $380 |
| Transport | $75 | $150 |
| Utilities | $162 | $55 |
| Internet | $60 | $25 |
| Left after essentials | $4,719/month | $6,045/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in St. Louis equivalent to in Lima?
$120K in St. Louis (COL index 87) has the same purchasing power as $55,172 in Lima (COL index 40). That's 54% less than your current salary.
If I move from St. Louis to Lima keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Lima, you'd have $1,326 more per month after core expenses — because Lima is cheaper than St. Louis.
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 × (40 ÷ 87) = $55,172. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — St. Louis to Lima
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only