Cost of Living Calculator

Compare cost of living between U.S. cities and the national average with our comprehensive calculator. Determine how much more or less you need to maintain a similar standard of living. Compare housing, food, utilities, transportation, and other cost of living numbers across cities.

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Cost of Living Calculator

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By Nathan Paulus
Edited by Venus Zoleta

Updated: May 13, 2025

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Prices don’t stay the same from city to city, and those changes can impact everything from your rent to your grocery bill. Even within the same state, the cost to maintain a comfortable lifestyle can shift more than expected. That’s why having location-specific data from a cost of living comparison calculator is so valuable.

Instead of guessing how far your income might go, it helps to compare concrete figures across different cities. These side-by-side insights can highlight cost gaps you may not have anticipated. Our cost of living comparison calculator lays out the numbers clearly, helping you assess financial differences between locations with ease.

About the MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator

Moving to a new city isn’t just about changing locations — it’s about understanding how your living expenses will shift. The MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator helps users compare costs across nearly 500 U.S. cities, offering a clear picture of affordability. Whether relocating for work, family or lifestyle changes, our tool provides a realistic, data-driven snapshot of how expenses differ nationwide.

Where the Data Comes From

The calculator pulls from three trusted data sources to ensure accurate cost estimates. Each source offers a unique view of city-level pricing, wages and population trends.

  • The Cost of Living Index (COLI) measures price differences across cities, covering housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and entertainment. Researchers gather local pricing data using standardized collection methods to maintain accuracy.
  • Job markets vary by location, affecting salaries and economic conditions. The calculator incorporates the employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to reflect median wages, workforce trends and regional job opportunities.
  • Local demographics shape housing demand, wages and cost trends. Census data is updated yearly through the American Community Survey to account for population shifts and economic changes.

How to Read the Results

After you submit your details, the calculator will provide two key insights: the estimated income needed to maintain your current lifestyle in the new city and a side-by-side comparison of major expense categories.

At the top of the results page, you'll find the adjusted income requirement, which indicates whether your earnings would need to increase or decrease based on local costs. Below that, a detailed category breakdown highlights percentage differences in expenses such as housing, groceries and transportation, helping you see where costs might rise or fall so you can make the necessary financial adjustments.

How to Use MoneyGeek’s Cost of Living Calculator

To compare living expenses between two cities, enter your current location and the city you’re considering moving to. After your first calculation, you can adjust your household annual income to see how different earnings align with the cost of living in your new city.

Our calculator will estimate the income needed to maintain your current lifestyle based on average costs in the selected city. You’ll also see a side-by-side comparison of key expense categories with a percentage difference to indicate whether costs are higher or lower in your new location.

  1. 1

    Select Places to Compare

    Start by choosing your current city and the city you’re interested in moving to. Our calculator includes nearly 500 U.S. cities, ranging from large metropolitan areas to smaller towns. This allows you to see how costs fluctuate across different locations, whether you're moving to a high-cost urban center or a more affordable area.

    Each selection is city-specific, providing a direct comparison between two locations rather than broad regional estimates. This ensures a precise cost breakdown to help you make an informed financial decision.

  2. 2

    Input Your Household Annual Income

    The calculator defaults to an annual income of $50,000, but you can adjust this to match your actual yearly earnings before taxes. After your first calculation, you’ll have the option to modify this amount to see how different salaries compare to the cost of living in your selected city.

    As you change this, the calculator updates the estimated salary required and the percentage difference from your current city to help you understand whether your earnings would be higher or lower relative to local costs. This feature allows you to explore different financial scenarios before making a move.

Key Categories in Cost of Living Comparisons

Housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and entertainment are the main factors shaping the cost of living in any city. Prices vary by location and impact overall affordability.

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SAMPLE COMPUTATION

Let’s say you currently live in San Francisco, California, earn $100,000 per year and are considering a move to Austin, Texas. According to the MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator, you would need $58,393 in Austin to maintain the same lifestyle — that is 71% less than in San Francisco.

Housing costs make the biggest impact, coming in 64% lower in Austin. Renting an apartment drops from $3,749 in San Francisco to $1,849 in Austin, while the median home price falls from $1.38 million to $500,842. Other everyday expenses also decrease, including groceries (9% lower), utilities (34% lower) and health care (27% lower).

However, not all costs see a major drop. Phone bills remain nearly the same, and wine is actually 1% more expensive in Austin. These smaller differences highlight areas where budgeting adjustments might still be necessary.

Understanding the Cost of Living Index

The cost-of-living index is a tool used to compare the relative affordability of different cities based on essential expenses like housing, groceries, transportation and health care. It provides a numerical score where 100 represents the national average — higher scores indicate more expensive cities, while lower scores suggest greater affordability.

For instance, Manhattan has a cost-of-living index more than twice the national average, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. In contrast, Decatur, Illinois ranks more than 20% below the national average, offering significantly lower living costs.

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    Housing

    Housing is often the biggest expense in any budget, whether you’re renting or buying a home. Costs vary widely based on demand, location and local property taxes, making this a key factor in affordability comparisons.

    A high-demand metro area like San Francisco may have skyrocketing rents and steep home prices, while a mid-sized city like Austin offers more spacious and affordable housing options. The difference in housing costs can significantly impact how much of your income goes toward living expenses.

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    Grocery

    The price of groceries depends on local supply chains, transportation costs and state taxes. Items like milk, eggs and fresh produce may be more expensive in areas where they need to be transported from far away.

    In some cities, grocery bills are notably higher due to import costs or fewer discount retailers, while others offer lower food prices thanks to local agriculture and competitive markets. Since food is a daily necessity, even small differences in pricing can add up over time.

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    Utilities

    Monthly utility bills cover electricity, water, heating, cooling, internet and phone services. Climate, local energy rates and infrastructure all affect how much residents pay.

    For example, extreme weather conditions can drive up heating or air conditioning costs. At the same time, states with regulated energy markets may have higher or lower rates depending on policies and provider competition.

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    Transportation

    Commuting costs depend on gas prices, public transit options and vehicle expenses. For instance, in Los Angeles, where driving is essential, residents often face high fuel prices and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, in New York City, most people rely on public transit and swap gas and car payments for subway fares and monthly passes.

    Other factors, like parking fees, tolls and rideshare services, also influence transportation expenses. Car-heavy cities tend to have higher fuel and upkeep costs, while places with robust public transit systems may offer more affordable alternatives.

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    Health Care

    Medical costs include doctor visits, prescription medications, insurance premiums and hospital care. Prices fluctuate depending on local health care providers, insurance regulations and demand for medical services.

    In cities with more hospitals and specialists, medical services may be more competitively priced, while areas with fewer health care options might have higher out-of-pocket costs.

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    Entertainment

    Entertainment spending involves dining out, watching movies, joining fitness clubs and engaging in recreational activities. While not essential, these expenses contribute to the overall quality of life and vary widely between cities.

    Take Boston, for example — a high-cost city where activities like concerts, dining and fitness classes often come with premium pricing. A night out at a restaurant or a ticket to a sporting event can be significantly more expensive than in smaller, more affordable cities. These price differences can affect how much disposable income is available for leisure and social activities.

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HOW INFLATION IMPACTS THE COST OF LIVING

As prices rise over time, the cost of essentials like housing, groceries and utilities increases, making day-to-day expenses more expensive. This can shrink purchasing power, especially if wages don’t keep up, and force households to adjust their budgets.

Inflation also affects cost-of-living indices, which must be regularly updated to reflect changing prices. A city that once seemed affordable may become costly, while another might see slower price growth.

Cost of Living FAQ

Relocating to a new city comes with financial considerations beyond just housing costs. Here, we answer common questions about moving costs, affordability and key factors that impact the cost of living.

What major factors should I consider before relocating?

How much does it cost to move?

Can I afford to move to a new city?

How do you find out the cost of living in an area?

What is the US average cost of living?

How much of your salary should go to the cost of living?

About Nathan Paulus

Nathan Paulus headshot

Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.

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