Cost of Living Comparison Calculator
Compare living costs between cities and find out what salary you'd need to maintain your lifestyle.
Your Current Situation
e.g., 100 for average, higher for more expensive cities.
Your New City
Find these indexes on sites like Numbeo, BestPlaces, etc.
Equivalent Income Needed
$84000.00
per year in the new city
This represents a 20.00% change in required income.
If the percentage is positive, you'll need more income. If negative, you can live on less.
Understanding Cost of Living Indexes
A Cost of Living Index is a theoretical measurement of the relative cost of living over time or in different regions. It's designed to compare how much it costs to maintain a certain standard of living in one place versus another. These indexes typically take into account various expenses such as housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.
How Cost of Living Indexes Work:
Most indexes use a base city (often New York City or a national average) with an index value of 100. If a city has an index of 120, it means it's 20% more expensive than the base city. If it's 80, it's 20% cheaper. This calculator uses these relative values to scale your current income to an equivalent income in a new city.
Factors Included in the Index:
- Housing: Rent or mortgage payments, property taxes.
- Groceries: Cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Transportation: Public transport fares, fuel costs, car maintenance.
- Utilities: Electricity, heating, cooling, water, internet.
- Consumer Goods & Services: Clothing, entertainment, personal care.
- Healthcare: Doctor visits, prescription drugs, insurance premiums.
When to Use This Calculator:
Job Relocation
Determine if a job offer in a new city is truly comparable to your current salary, considering the local cost of living.
Retirement Planning
Estimate how far your retirement savings will stretch in different potential retirement locations.
Budgeting for a Move
Get a realistic picture of the financial adjustments you might need to make when moving to a new area.
General Curiosity
Simply curious about how your city compares to others around the world or within your country.
Important Note: Cost of living indexes are averages and may not perfectly reflect your individual spending habits or specific neighborhood costs. Always consider other factors like job market, family, and personal preferences when making relocation decisions.