$80K in Tempe = $62,136 in Topeka

Your $80K salary in Tempe (COL 103) has the same purchasing power as $62,136 in Topeka (COL 80). Topeka is cheaper — your money goes 22% further there.

$80K in Tempe, AZ
$4,890/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable
$62,136/yr in Topeka, KS
$3,632/mo take-home
Rent: $940/mo (26% of take-home)
Comfortable

Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities

What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Tempe
$80K
Topeka
$80K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$4,890$4,677
1BR rent$1,600$940
Groceries$380$350
Transport$55$40
Utilities$210$150
Internet$62$55
Left after essentials$2,583/month$3,142/month
To match your Tempe purchasing power in Topeka, you'd need to earn $62,136/year (22% less than $80K). At that salary, you'd have $2,097/mo left after essentials — vs $2,583/mo in Tempe.

Frequently asked questions

What is $80K in Tempe equivalent to in Topeka?

$80K in Tempe (COL index 103) has the same purchasing power as $62,136 in Topeka (COL index 80). That's 22% less than your current salary.

If I move from Tempe to Topeka keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Topeka, you'd have $559 more per month after core expenses — because Topeka is cheaper than Tempe.

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: $80K × (80 ÷ 103) = $62,136. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Tempe to Topeka

$40K → $31,068$50K → $38,835$60K → $46,602$75K → $58,252$100K → $77,670$120K → $93,204$150K → $116,505
$80K in Topeka → TempeMoving from Tempe to TopekaTempe vs Topeka — full comparisonCan I afford Tempe vs Topeka on $80K?

Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only