Cost of Living Calculator
Compare living costs between cities, calculate equivalent salaries, and plan your budget for a potential move to a new location.
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare living costs between cities and calculate salary equivalents
Overall Cost Comparison
New York, NY
Index: 100
Austin, TX
Index: 68
Austin, TX is -32.0% cheaper than New York, NY
Salary Equivalent
To maintain the same standard of living in Austin, TX:
$51,000
-$24,000 from current salary
Category Breakdown
Understanding Cost of Living
What is Cost of Living?
Cost of living refers to the amount of money needed to cover basic expenses such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other necessities in a specific location. It varies significantly between cities, states, and countries.
Understanding cost of living is essential when considering a job offer in a new city, planning a move, or comparing your financial situation to national averages. A higher salary doesn't always mean more purchasing power if the cost of living is proportionally higher.
Key Cost Categories
- Housing: Rent or mortgage payments (typically 30-40% of budget)
- Groceries: Food and household supplies
- Utilities: Electricity, gas, water, internet
- Transportation: Car payments, gas, insurance, transit
- Healthcare: Insurance premiums, medical expenses
- Other: Entertainment, dining, personal care
Cost of Living Index Explained
How the Index Works
Our calculator uses New York City as the baseline with an index of 100. A city with an index of 80 is 20% cheaper than NYC, while a city with an index of 120 is 20% more expensive.
< 60
Very Affordable
40%+ cheaper than NYC
60 - 80
Moderate Cost
20-40% cheaper than NYC
> 80
High Cost
Similar to or more than NYC
Most Expensive vs Affordable US Cities
Most Expensive Cities
Most Affordable Cities
Major Cost Factors by Category
Housing
Housing is typically the largest expense and varies the most between cities. Coastal cities and tech hubs have the highest housing costs.
- • NYC 2BR median: ~$3,500/month
- • Austin 2BR median: ~$1,800/month
- • Cleveland 2BR median: ~$1,100/month
Groceries
Food costs vary based on local agriculture, transportation costs, and local taxes. Hawaii and Alaska have the highest grocery costs.
- • Honolulu: 20% above national average
- • Most cities: within 10% of average
- • Midwest cities tend to be lowest
Utilities
Climate significantly affects utility costs. Extreme temperatures drive up heating and cooling expenses.
- • Hawaii: highest electricity rates
- • South: high AC costs in summer
- • Northeast: high heating costs in winter
How to Use This Calculator
1. City Comparison Mode
Enter your current city, target city, and current salary to see what salary you'd need in the new location to maintain the same standard of living. Great for evaluating job offers or planning moves.
2. Custom Budget Mode
Enter your actual monthly expenses in each category to see exactly how your budget would change in a new city. More personalized than general index comparisons since it uses your real spending patterns.
3. Evaluate Job Offers
When comparing job offers in different cities, use this calculator to determine the "real" value of each salary. A $90,000 offer in Austin might provide more purchasing power than $120,000 in San Francisco.
Tips for Relocating
Before You Move
- • Research neighborhoods to understand price variations within the city
- • Factor in state income taxes — Texas and Florida have none
- • Consider car vs. public transit needs in the new city
- • Account for one-time moving costs ($2,000-$10,000+)
- • Build an emergency fund for the transition period
Negotiating Salary
- • Use cost of living data to justify salary expectations
- • Ask about relocation assistance or signing bonuses
- • Consider total compensation including benefits
- • Factor in career growth opportunities in the new market
- • Don't forget to negotiate — most offers have flexibility
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides estimates based on average costs in each city. Your actual costs may vary based on lifestyle choices, specific neighborhoods, and personal spending habits. Use it as a starting point for research, not a definitive answer.
Should I only consider cost of living when moving?
No! Also consider quality of life factors like climate, proximity to family, job opportunities, schools, safety, cultural amenities, and outdoor recreation. A lower cost of living isn't worth it if the city doesn't meet your lifestyle needs.
Why do housing costs vary so much?
Housing costs are driven by supply and demand, local job markets, population density, geographic constraints, zoning laws, and desirability. Coastal cities with limited land and strong job markets (NYC, SF) command premium prices. Midwest cities with more land and slower growth tend to be cheaper.
How often do cost of living indexes change?
Costs change continuously due to inflation, housing market shifts, and economic conditions. The relative rankings between cities tend to be stable, but actual prices can change significantly year to year. Always research current prices when making moving decisions.
Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates based on average cost of living data and should be used for general planning purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly based on individual lifestyle, specific neighborhoods, and current market conditions. We recommend researching current prices in your target area and consulting with financial advisors before making major relocation decisions.