Cost of Living: Comparing Cities Before You Move
Published Apr 13, 2026 · 6 min read
A $100,000 salary in Austin, TX is not the same as $100,000 in San Francisco. Cost of living differences can make or break your financial situation.
Key Cost of Living Components
- Housing (30-40% of total) β The biggest variable between cities
- Groceries & food (10-15%)
- Transportation (10-15%) β Car costs, gas, public transit
- Healthcare (5-10%)
- Taxes β State income tax, property tax, sales tax
- Utilities β Heating/cooling costs vary by climate
How to Calculate Salary Equivalence
If you earn $80,000 in Dallas (cost index ~96) and are moving to Seattle (cost index ~149), you'd need roughly $124,000 to maintain the same lifestyle. That's a 55% increase.
Try it: Use our Cost of Living Calculator to compare cities and find your equivalent salary.