$40K in St. Louis = $50,575 in Melbourne
Your $40K salary in St. Louis (COL 87) has the same purchasing power as $50,575 in Melbourne (COL 110). Melbourne is more expensive — you'd need 26% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | St. Louis $40K | Melbourne $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,572 | $1,600 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,600 |
| Groceries | $369 | $380 |
| Transport | $75 | $150 |
| Utilities | $162 | $130 |
| Internet | $60 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $606/month | -$722/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in St. Louis equivalent to in Melbourne?
$40K in St. Louis (COL index 87) has the same purchasing power as $50,575 in Melbourne (COL index 110). That's 26% more than your current salary.
If I move from St. Louis to Melbourne keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Melbourne are higher, so on the same $40K salary you'd have $1,328 less per month. You'd need to earn $50,575 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: $40K × (110 ÷ 87) = $50,575. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — St. Louis to Melbourne
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only