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Cost of Living Calculator
Estimate the salary you would need in a new city to keep the same standard of living.
How this calculator works
Enter your current salary, the cost-of-living index for your city and the index for the new city. The calculator multiplies your salary by the new index divided by the current one. Indexes compare the overall cost of living between places, where a higher number means higher costs. Housing is usually the biggest difference.
Example
A salary of $85,000 with a current city index of 100 and a new city index of 128. The calculator shows: Salary Needed: $108,800.00.
Tips
- Use indexes from the same source for both cities so the comparison is fair.
- Compare housing costs directly, since rent or home prices often drive most of the difference.
- Remember income tax and sales tax differ by state and city, and can change how far your salary goes.
Common questions
Where do I find a city index?
Look for cost-of-living indexes published by research and data sites. Use the same one for both places.
Does it include taxes?
No. It scales your salary by the overall cost index. State and local taxes are not part of it.
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Results are estimates only. See our disclaimer.