Cost of Living Comparison Calculator
Compare cost of living between city tiers and find out what salary you need to maintain your standard of living after relocating.
Adjusted Salary
Cost of Living Comparison estimates the salary you need in a new city to maintain the same standard of living.
Adjusted Salary = Current Salary × (New City Index / Current City Index)
City tier cost-of-living indices (U.S. baseline = 100):
| Tier | Examples | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Very High) | NYC, San Francisco, Honolulu | ~187 |
| Tier 2 (High) | Boston, LA, Seattle, DC | ~152 |
| Tier 3 (Above Average) | Denver, Portland, Chicago | ~120 |
| Tier 4 (Average) | Atlanta, Phoenix, Nashville | ~100 |
| Tier 5 (Below Average) | Dallas, Tampa, Charlotte | ~90 |
| Tier 6 (Low) | Memphis, Oklahoma City, Little Rock | ~80 |
What the index includes:
- Housing (typically 30–40% of the total)
- Groceries and food
- Transportation
- Healthcare
- Utilities
Note: These are simplified tier-based estimates. Actual cost of living varies significantly within metro areas, by neighborhood, and by lifestyle.