Cost of Living Comparison
Compare U.S. cities — see what salary you need in NYC vs Austin to maintain lifestyle.
Free U.S. Cost of Living Comparison — City Salary Equivalent
Got a job offer in another U.S. city — or thinking of moving? The cost of living between Austin, San Francisco, NYC, and Cleveland can differ by 2–3×. Use this calculator to see exactly what salary you'd need in any city to maintain your current lifestyle.
How to use this tool
- 1
Enter your current salary
What you make today.
- 2
Pick your current city
Where you live now.
- 3
Pick the destination city
Where you're considering moving.
- 4
See the equivalent salary
Based on housing, food, transport, healthcare, and utilities.
Pro tips
- Housing is 30–50% of cost of living — high-COL cities (SF, NYC, Boston) are mostly expensive because of rent.
- A 30% raise to move to NYC from Austin actually means a pay CUT in lifestyle terms.
- Consider state income tax too — Texas, Florida, and Washington have none, which boosts effective income.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are these COL indexes?
Indexes are aggregated averages — your personal cost depends heavily on your housing choices, lifestyle, and family situation.
Does this include state taxes?
No — index is pre-tax living costs only. Layer state income tax on top for a complete picture.
Why is San Francisco so expensive?
Housing — median rent is 3–4× the national average. Tech salaries are higher but the COL premium often eats most of it.
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