Comparing Cost of Living
The Cost of Living Index compares relative prices between locations. A city with index 130 is 30% more expensive than baseline (100).
Major US City COL Indexes (2025)
| City | Index |
|---|---|
| New York City | 187 |
| San Francisco | 179 |
| Los Angeles | 166 |
| Seattle | 149 |
| Denver | 128 |
| National Average | 100 |
How to Use This Cost of Living Calculator
Select your current city and the city you are considering moving to. Enter your current salary. The calculator adjusts housing, food, transportation, and other costs.
Formula & How It Works
Adjusted Salary = Current Salary Γ (Target City Index / Current City Index). Major factors weighted: housing (30%), food (15%), transportation (10%), healthcare (10%), other (35%).
Calculation Example
Moving from Austin ($80,000 salary) to San Francisco where cost of living is 80% higher: you would need approximately $144,000 to maintain the same standard of living.
Expert Tips
Housing typically accounts for the biggest difference between cities. Remote work lets you earn a high-cost-of-living salary while living somewhere affordable β look at the "geo-arbitrage" strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors affect cost of living?
Housing (30-40%), transportation, food, healthcare, utilities, and taxes. Housing alone can vary 3-5x between cities.
Should I negotiate salary when relocating?
Yes. Use this calculator to determine the equivalent salary. Many companies offer COL adjustments.
Is cost of living the same as purchasing power?
Related but different. Purchasing power considers salary relative to local costs.