Cost of Living Calculator
A cost of living calculator helps you compare living costs between cities and determine how much you need to earn to maintain your current lifestyle in different locations. Use our free cost of living calculator to analyze housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other expenses across different cities. This tool provides comprehensive cost comparisons for relocation decisions, salary negotiations, and financial planning. Calculate cost of living differences instantly to make informed decisions about moving or job opportunities.
Free • City comparison • Salary analysis
How Cost of Living Comparison Works
Cost of Living Formula
Required Salary = Current Salary × (Target City Cost ÷ Current City Cost)
Cost Index: (Target City Total ÷ Current City Total) × 100
Housing Weight: Typically 30% of total expenses
Food Weight: Typically 15% of total expenses
Transportation Weight: Typically 15% of total expenses
Example Cost of Living Comparison
Moving from Phoenix, AZ ($60,000 salary) to San Francisco, CA requires $102,000 salary to maintain the same lifestyle. San Francisco's cost of living is 70% higher, primarily due to housing costs that are 150% above Phoenix levels.
This calculation helps determine if a salary increase justifies the relocation costs.
Benefits of Cost of Living Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
How is cost of living calculated?
Cost of living is calculated by comparing prices of housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other essential expenses between cities, then determining the percentage difference.
What cities have the highest cost of living?
Major cities like San Francisco, New York, Boston, and San Diego typically have the highest cost of living in the US, driven primarily by housing costs.
How much salary do I need to move to a new city?
Multiply your current salary by the cost of living index difference. For example, if moving to a city 50% more expensive, you need 50% higher salary.
Related Financial Calculators
Compare Cost of Living Between Cities
Get comprehensive cost of living analysis with salary requirements and expense breakdowns for informed relocation decisions.
Use Cost of Living Calculator