Free Tool 2026 Data 76 Locations

Cost of Living Calculator

Compare two US locations. Find out what salary you'd need to maintain equivalent purchasing power when moving. Or: see how far your current pay goes in a different city.

Compare Cost of Living

Two-City Comparison

FAQ

Cost of Living Calculator: FAQ

How does this cost-of-living calculator work?

This tool uses BEA Regional Price Parity data combined with C2ER cost-of-living surveys (Q4 2024) to compute pay-equivalent ratios between US states and metros for 2026. Enter your current salary and origin/destination, and the calculator shows what salary you'd need to maintain equivalent purchasing power.

What does cost of living actually include?

Our underlying index reflects a weighted basket: housing (40%), groceries (13%), utilities (10%), transportation (10%), healthcare (5%), and miscellaneous goods/services (22%). Housing dominates because it's the largest variable across US locations.

Is the calculation perfect for my situation?

No calculator can be perfect for you specifically. Your personal cost of living depends on your housing type (rent vs own, urban vs suburban), whether you own a car, family size, and lifestyle. Use this as a starting estimate, then adjust for your specific situation.

Does this include income taxes?

The base calculation does not include state income tax. We display state income tax notes separately when relevant. Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee, and a few other states have no state income tax — this can swing the after-tax math meaningfully.