Cost of Living Calculator
Moving to a new city? Enter your current income, pick your current and target city, and instantly see how your budget needs to change across housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities.
Planning a Big Move? Stay on Budget
Our New Life Starter Kit Notion template helps you plan every detail of your move — budget tracking, checklists, timeline, and more — all in one beautiful workspace.
Get the New Life Starter Kit →How Cost of Living Differs Across US Cities
The cost of living in the United States varies dramatically by city. A $60,000 salary in Austin, Texas gives you a very different lifestyle than the same salary in San Francisco. Housing alone can swing your budget by 50-200% between cities.
This calculator uses a composite cost of living index based on publicly available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Council for Community and Economic Research, and housing market reports. Each city is indexed relative to the national average (100).
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your monthly take-home income — your paycheck after taxes.
- Select your current city from the dropdown.
- Select the city you are considering moving to.
- Review the category breakdown to see exactly where costs differ.
- Check the income needed to maintain your current standard of living.
What the Numbers Mean
- Income Needed — the monthly income you would need in the target city to match your current purchasing power.
- Monthly Difference — how much more (or less) you would spend each month.
- Cost Index Ratio — a quick multiplier. If it says 1.25x, the target city is roughly 25% more expensive overall.
Tips for Moving to a More Expensive City
- Negotiate a higher salary — use this calculator's data as leverage in salary discussions.
- Reduce housing costs — consider roommates, a smaller apartment, or neighborhoods slightly outside the city center.
- Adjust your budget — use the $3,000/month budget guide to find areas where you can cut back.
- Build an emergency fund first — moving is expensive. Have 3-6 months of expenses saved before you go.
- Track everything — your first 3 months in a new city are crucial. Use a digital nomad budget system to stay on track.
Related Resources
- Budget Calculator — build a full monthly budget for your new city
- 50/30/20 Calculator — split your income into needs, wants, and savings
- How to Budget on $3,000 a Month
- Budget Guide for Digital Nomads
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this calculator?
The cost of living indexes are based on composite data from the BLS, C2ER, and housing market reports. They represent averages — your actual costs depend on your lifestyle, neighborhood, and spending habits. Use the results as a directional guide, not an exact prediction.
Does this include taxes?
The index values reflect consumer prices (housing, food, transport, etc.) but do not account for differences in state and local income taxes. If you are moving from Texas (no state income tax) to California (up to 13.3%), factor that in separately.
Why are only 20 cities listed?
We selected the 20 most-searched US metro areas for relocation. We plan to add more cities and international comparisons in future updates.
What if I work remotely?
Remote workers have a huge advantage — you can keep a high-cost-of-living salary while moving to a lower-cost city. This calculator shows you exactly how much further your money goes. Check out our digital nomad budget guide for more tips.