$120K in Trenton = $99,429 in Idaho Falls
Your $120K salary in Trenton (COL 105) has the same purchasing power as $99,429 in Idaho Falls (COL 87). Idaho Falls 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 | Trenton $120K | Idaho Falls $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,255 | $6,575 |
| 1BR rent | $1,700 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $395 | $365 |
| Transport | $80 | $35 |
| Utilities | $215 | $142 |
| Internet | $68 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $3,797/month | $4,868/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Trenton equivalent to in Idaho Falls?
$120K in Trenton (COL index 105) has the same purchasing power as $99,429 in Idaho Falls (COL index 87). That's 17% less than your current salary.
If I move from Trenton to Idaho Falls keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Idaho Falls, you'd have $1,071 more per month after core expenses — because Idaho Falls is cheaper than Trenton.
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 × (87 ÷ 105) = $99,429. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Trenton to Idaho Falls
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only