Cost of Living Calculator
Thinking about relocating? Compare the true cost of living between nearly 60 major US cities - from housing and groceries to state income taxes - and find out what salary you'd need to maintain your current lifestyle.
Moving From
Moving To
Your Income
Category Breakdown
Net Impact
$13,764/yr more expensive
Moving costs you more - $13,764/yr higher total cost
Equivalent Salary Needed
$94,903
To maintain your lifestyle in Denver
Salary Difference
+$9,903
You'd need more
TX State Tax
$0
Texas
CO State Tax
$3,740
Colorado
Annual Cost Difference
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Try it freeNo signup requiredUnderstanding Cost of Living Differences
What is a cost of living index?
A cost of living index measures how expensive it is to live in one city compared to the national average (100). A city with an index of 150 costs roughly 50% more than the national average, while an index of 85 costs about 15% less. The index is broken into categories - housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, utilities, and miscellaneous goods - because each component can vary dramatically between cities.
Why housing dominates the comparison
Housing typically accounts for 30-35% of household spending and has the widest variation between cities. A city like San Francisco has a housing index near 268, while Memphis sits around 68 - nearly a 4x difference. This means that even if groceries and transportation are similar, the housing gap alone can make one city dramatically more expensive. Always pay close attention to the housing line item in any relocation analysis.
Don't forget state taxes
Moving from a high-tax state like California (top rate 13.3%) to a no-income-tax state like Texas or Florida can save thousands per year. On a $100,000 salary, California state income tax comes to roughly $5,000 a year. This calculator estimates graduated state income tax so you can see more of the picture - not just day-to-day costs. It doesn't include state deductions or local income taxes such as New York City's.
The equivalent salary metric
The “equivalent salary” tells you what you'd need to earn in your new city to maintain the same purchasing power. If you earn $85,000 in Dallas (index 103) and want to move to Denver (index 115), you'd need roughly $95,000 to maintain the same standard of living. Use this number as a starting point when negotiating salaries or evaluating job offers in a new city.
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