Cost of Living Calculator
Calculate the equivalent salary needed in a different city from your current salary and both cities' cost-of-living index numbers.
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Look up index numbers for your two cities from a public cost-of-living index source, then enter them here — this calculator doesn't look up city data automatically.
Results
Equivalent Salary Needed
$104,000.00
Difference From Current Salary
+$24,000.00
Cost-of-Living Change
+30.0%
How Does the Cost of Living Calculator Work?
This calculator compares two cities using their cost-of-living index numbers, which you look up yourself from a public cost-of-living index source and enter manually — it doesn't fetch live city data automatically. Enter your current salary, your current city's index, and your target city's index. The calculator scales your salary by the ratio of the two indexes (equivalent salary = current salary × target index ÷ current index) to estimate the salary you'd need in the target city to maintain the same standard of living.
Example
Someone earning $80,000 in a city with a cost-of-living index of 100 who's considering a move to a city with an index of 130 would need about $104,000 (80,000 × 130 ÷ 100) to maintain the same purchasing power — a difference of $24,000, reflecting a 30% higher cost of living in the target city.
Common Use Cases
- Negotiating a salary before relocating for a new job.
- Comparing job offers in different cities on an equal footing.
- Deciding whether a remote-work relocation makes financial sense.
- Understanding roughly how far a given salary would stretch in a different city.
FAQs
Where do I find cost-of-living index numbers for a city?
Several public sources publish city and metro-area cost-of-living indexes, usually benchmarked against a baseline city or national average (often set to 100). Search for a cost-of-living index by city name to find current figures, and make sure both numbers you enter come from the same source, since different sources use different baselines and methodology.
Does this account for taxes?
No — cost-of-living indexes typically measure everyday expenses like housing, groceries, transportation, and utilities, not income tax rates. State and local taxes can differ significantly between cities and should be considered separately alongside this comparison.
Is a single index number enough to compare cities?
It's a useful starting estimate, but a single blended index can hide big differences in specific categories — one city might have much cheaper groceries but far more expensive housing. For a bigger decision, look at the category breakdown behind the index, not just the overall number.