Costs vary by city, making location-specific data valuable for financial planning. Our cost of living calculator breaks down the numbers, showing you financial differences between cities at a glance.
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.
Select places you would like to compare
Live In...
Moving In...
San Francisco CA
Austin TX
Cost of Living Calculator
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
About the MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator
Moving to a new city means understanding how your living expenses will change. The MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator compares costs across nearly 500 U.S. cities. Whether you're relocating for work, family or lifestyle, our tool provides a data-driven snapshot of expense differences nationwide.
Where the Data Comes From
The calculator uses three trusted data sources for accurate cost estimates.
- 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 methods.
- Employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reflects median wages, workforce trends and regional job opportunities since job markets vary by location.
- Census data updates yearly through the American Community Survey, accounting for population shifts and economic changes that shape housing demand, wages and cost trends.
How to Use MoneyGeek’s Cost of Living Calculator
Compare living expenses between two cities by entering your current location and the city you're considering. 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.
The calculator estimates the income needed to maintain your current lifestyle based on average costs in the selected city.
- 1Select Places to Compare
Choose your current city and the city you're moving to. Our calculator includes nearly 500 U.S. cities, from large metros to smaller towns.
- 2Input Your Household Annual Income
The calculator defaults to $50,000 annually, but you can adjust this to match your yearly earnings before taxes. After your first calculation, you can change this amount to compare different income scenarios.
How to Read the Results
The calculator provides two insights: the estimated income needed to maintain your lifestyle in the new city and a side-by-side comparison of major expense categories.
The adjusted income requirement appears at the top, showing whether your earnings need to increase or decrease based on local costs. A detailed breakdown highlights percentage differences in housing, groceries and transportation, helping you see where costs might rise or fall and plan financial adjustments.
SAMPLE COMPUTATION
Let's say you live in San Francisco, California, earn $100,000 per year and consider moving to Austin, Texas. According to the MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator, you'd need $58,393 in Austin to maintain the same lifestyle. That's 71% less than in San Francisco.
Housing costs make the biggest impact, at 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).
Not all costs decrease. Phone bills remain nearly the same, and wine is actually 1% more expensive in Austin. These smaller differences highlight areas where budgeting adjustments are still necessary.
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.
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 major 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. Housing cost differences can take a large portion of your income.
Grocery
Grocery prices depend on local supply chains, transportation costs and state taxes. Items like milk, eggs and fresh produce may cost more 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 pricing differences add up over time.
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.
Extreme weather conditions can drive up heating or air conditioning costs. States with regulated energy markets may have higher or lower rates depending on policies and provider competition.
Transportation
Commuting costs depend on gas prices, public transit options and vehicle expenses. In Los Angeles, where driving is necessary, residents pay high fuel prices and maintenance costs. In New York City, most people rely on public transit, trading gas and car payments for subway fares and monthly passes.
Parking fees, tolls and rideshare services add to transportation expenses. Car-heavy cities have higher fuel and upkeep costs, while places with strong public transit systems offer more affordable alternatives.
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.
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 cost much more than in smaller, more affordable cities. These price differences affect how much disposable income is available for leisure and social activities.
HOW INFLATION IMPACTS THE COST OF LIVING
As prices rise over time, the cost of essentials like housing, groceries and utilities increases.
Inflation also affects cost-of-living indices, which must be regularly updated to reflect changing prices.
Understanding the Cost of Living Index
The cost-of-living index compares city affordability based on housing, groceries, transportation and health care. A score of 100 represents the national average. Higher scores mean more expensive cities, while lower scores indicate greater affordability.
Manhattan has a cost-of-living index more than twice the national average, making it one of the country's most expensive cities. Decatur, Illinois, ranks more than 20% below the national average with lower living costs.
Cost of Living FAQ
Relocating involves financial considerations beyond housing costs. Below are common questions about moving costs, affordability and factors affecting cost of living.
What should I consider before relocating?
Cost of living affects how comfortably you can live in a given place. Think about job opportunities, long-term financial goals and quality of life. Can you still save for a home, retirement or debt repayment? Consider amenities, climate and proximity to friends and family to determine if the city aligns with your lifestyle.
How much does it cost to move?
Moving expenses depend on distance, location and services needed. Costs include movers, truck rentals, fuel, plane tickets, temporary lodging and food. Local moves may cost a few hundred dollars, while long-distance moves can run several thousand dollars with professional movers.
Can I afford to move to a new city?
MoneyGeek's cost of living calculator compares expenses based on your income, showing whether your salary can support your lifestyle in a new location. Consider day-to-day expenses plus savings, debt payments and long-term financial goals.
How do you find out the cost of living in an area?
Use a cost of living calculator like MoneyGeek's, which breaks down expenses across cities. Government sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and C2ER's Cost of Living Index (COLI) provide reliable data on regional price differences.
What is the U.S. average cost of living?
The average annual cost of living for a U.S. household was $77,280 ($6,440 per month) in 2023, with housing being the largest expense at 32.9% of total spending. Costs vary widely by location. High-cost cities like New York (Manhattan) exceed twice the national average, while more affordable areas like Decatur, Illinois, fall 20% below it.
How much of your salary should go to the cost of living?
A common rule is the 50/30/20 budget: 50% for necessities (housing, food, utilities and transportation), 30% for discretionary spending and 20% for savings or debt repayment. High-cost cities may require adjusting these percentages based on income and expenses.
About Nathan Paulus
Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content at MoneyGeek, where he conducts original data analysis and oversees editorial strategy for insurance and personal finance coverage. He has published hundreds of data-driven studies analyzing insurance markets, consumer costs and coverage trends over the past decade. His research combines statistical analysis with accessible financial guidance for millions of readers annually.
Paulus earned his B.A. in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston.
sources
- Council for Community and Economic Research. "Press Release: Cost of Living Index." Accessed November 27, 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Consumer Expenditures – 2023." Accessed November 27, 2025.