Free Cost of Living Calculator

A $100k offer in one city isn't the same as $100k in another. Calculate the real-world salary equivalent between cities -- and see exactly where the money goes.

Features

  • Compare cost of living between any two US cities
  • Calculates equivalent salary to maintain your lifestyle
  • Breaks down by category -- housing, food, transport, healthcare, taxes
  • Includes state and local tax differences
  • Accounts for remote work scenarios (live in one city, paid another rate)
  • Visualizes spending differences with clear charts
  • Covers 300+ US metro areas

How It Works

  1. 1Enter your current city and salary
  2. 2Select the city you're comparing against
  3. 3Review the overall cost-of-living index comparison
  4. 4See category-by-category breakdowns (housing is usually the biggest swing)
  5. 5Get the equivalent salary you'd need in the new city
  6. 6Factor in tax differences for a complete picture

Frequently Asked Questions

We index against the national average (100 = national average). A city at 130 is 30% more expensive than average. We weight categories by typical spending: housing (30%), food (15%), transportation (15%), healthcare (10%), taxes (20%), and miscellaneous (10%). Housing usually drives the biggest differences between cities.
Yes. State income tax alone can swing your take-home pay by thousands. Moving from California (13.3% top rate) to Texas (0%) is a massive effective raise. We include state income tax, property tax averages, and sales tax in the comparison. Local taxes are included for cities that have them.
Great question. If you're paid a location-adjusted salary, use this tool to see whether the adjustment is fair. If you're paid a flat rate regardless of location, use it to find cities where your dollars go furthest. Some remote workers save 30-40% just by choosing their location strategically.
Housing data is based on median rents and home prices, updated quarterly. Your actual costs depend on neighborhood, housing type, and roommate situation. The tool gives you a reliable benchmark -- your experience may be higher or lower depending on your specific choices. It's directionally accurate, not a lease quote.
Absolutely -- this is the tool's primary use case. A $130k offer in Denver isn't necessarily better than a $110k offer in Raleigh. Run the numbers before deciding. We've seen people turn down 'higher' offers that would've actually reduced their purchasing power.

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Created By

InterviewTips.AI Team

Interview Preparation Experts

InterviewTips.AI was built by a team of hiring managers, recruiters, and career coaches who have collectively conducted over 10,000 interviews across tech, finance, healthcare, and education.

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