Cost of living comparison calculator - 2026
Select two cities and your current salary to see what you would need to earn to live the same lifestyle
VS
Used to calculate the equivalent salary you would need in the new city
Equivalent salary needed in
City 1
City 2
Cost of living indices are estimates based on 2025-2026 data. Individual costs vary significantly based on neighborhood, lifestyle, and personal circumstances. This calculator is for general comparison purposes only.
Frequently asked questions - cost of living
How is cost of living calculated?
Cost of living is measured using an index that compares the relative cost of goods and services across cities. The national average is typically set at 100. A city with an index of 150 is 50% more expensive than average, while a city at 80 is 20% less expensive. The index covers housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, utilities, and miscellaneous expenses.
What salary do I need if I move to a more expensive city?
To maintain the same purchasing power when moving to a more expensive city, multiply your current salary by the ratio of the new city's cost of living index to your current city's index. For example, moving from a city with index 100 to one with index 130 means you need 30% more salary. Our calculator does this automatically for you.
Which US cities have the highest cost of living?
The most expensive US cities include New York City (especially Manhattan), San Francisco, San Jose, Honolulu, and Boston. These cities have very high housing costs that drive the overall index well above the national average. San Francisco and New York typically have cost of living indices 60-100% above the national average.
Which US cities have the lowest cost of living?
The most affordable major US cities include Memphis, TN, Wichita, KS, Oklahoma City, OK, Tulsa, OK, and El Paso, TX. These cities have below-average housing costs and generally lower prices across all categories. Many mid-size Southern and Midwestern cities offer strong quality of life at significantly lower costs than coastal metros.