General
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare expenses across major US cities and find the salary you'd need to maintain the same standard of living if you relocated.
Select two cities and enter your salary, then click Calculate
How is this calculated?
Overall Index = weighted average of category indices
Housing: 40% weight
Food: 15% weight
Transport: 15% weight
Healthcare: 10% weight
Utilities: 10% weight
Miscellaneous: 10% weight
Salary Needed = current_salary × (city_B_index / city_A_index)
Difference % = ((city_B_index - city_A_index) / city_A_index) × 100FAQ
Frequently asked questions about cost of living
How is cost of living calculated between cities?
We compare weighted costs across major categories: housing (40% weight), food & groceries (15%), transportation (15%), healthcare (10%), utilities (10%), and miscellaneous (10%). Each city has an index relative to the national average (100).
What salary do I need if I move to a more expensive city?
Multiply your current salary by the ratio of the destination city's cost index to your current city's index. For example, moving from Austin (index 95) to San Francisco (index 180) means you need roughly 1.89× your current salary.
Is housing the biggest cost difference between cities?
Yes, overwhelmingly. Housing accounts for 60-80% of the cost-of-living difference between cities. A city with 2× the overall COL index usually has 3-4× higher housing costs.
Does this account for taxes?
This calculator focuses on spending costs rather than income taxes. States like Texas and Florida have no income tax, which effectively increases take-home pay by 5-10% compared to high-tax states like California or New York.
How often is the data updated?
Cost of living indices are based on BLS CPI data and Numbeo crowd-sourced pricing, updated quarterly. Housing data uses median rents and home prices from the most recent quarter.
Should I only compare salary and ignore other factors?
No — also consider job market depth, career growth opportunities, quality of life, commute times, climate preferences, and proximity to family. A lower salary in a low-COL city can yield more savings than a high salary in an expensive city.