Cost of Living Calculator

Compare how far a salary goes in two places, using cost-of-living index values.

Your salary now	$70,000
Cost-of-living index where you live	100
Index where you're moving	115

Your salary now

Cost-of-living index where you live

From an index such as BEA Regional Price Parities (US) or Numbeo; use the same source for both.

Index where you're moving

Equivalent salary

$80,500

Living costs are 15% higher, so you'd need $80,500 to keep the same standard of living.

Difference: $10,500

Salary for the same standard of living

Where you live$70,000
Where you're moving$80,500

About the Cost of Living Calculator

A cost-of-living index compares the price of the same basket of goods and services across places. In the US, the Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities by state and metro area (US average = 100). Use values from one source for both places.

The formula

Equivalent salary = salary × index(new) ÷ index(current)

Worked example

Example: Equivalent salary = $91,000

Inputs: Your salary now: $77,000; Cost-of-living index where you live: 110; Index where you're moving: 130.
Formula: Equivalent salary = salary × index(new) ÷ index(current)
Result: Equivalent salary = $91,000
Difference: $14,000

Things to keep in mind

Taxes differ between places too; compare take-home pay as well.

Questions people ask

Where do I find index values?

BEA Regional Price Parities for US states and metros; other countries' statistics offices or Numbeo for cities worldwide.

Does housing dominate?

Usually; rents explain most of the gap between expensive and cheap cities.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: Regional Price Parities