$80K in Waco = $80,964 in Birmingham
Your $80K salary in Waco (COL 83) has the same purchasing power as $80,964 in Birmingham (COL 84). Birmingham is more expensive — you'd need 1% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Waco $80K | Birmingham $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,723 |
| 1BR rent | $1,000 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $350 | $357 |
| Transport | $38 | $40 |
| Utilities | $172 | $175 |
| Internet | $60 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $3,437/month | $2,893/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Waco equivalent to in Birmingham?
$80K in Waco (COL index 83) has the same purchasing power as $80,964 in Birmingham (COL index 84). That's 1% more than your current salary.
If I move from Waco to Birmingham keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Birmingham are higher, so on the same $80K salary you'd have $544 less per month. You'd need to earn $80,964 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: $80K × (84 ÷ 83) = $80,964. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Waco to Birmingham
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only