Compare cost of living between U.S. cities and the national average with our comprehensive calculator. Determine how much more or less you need to maintain a similar standard of living. Compare housing, food, utilities, transportation, and other cost of living numbers across cities.
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Having location-specific data from a cost-of-living comparison calculator is important since costs change based on location.
Our cost of living comparison calculator clearly lays out the numbers, helping you easily see financial differences between locations.
Moving to a new city isn’t just about changing locations — it’s about understanding how your living expenses will shift. The MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator helps users compare costs across nearly 500 U.S. cities, offering a clear picture of affordability. Whether relocating for work, family or lifestyle changes, our tool provides a realistic, data-driven snapshot of how expenses differ nationwide.
The calculator pulls from three trusted data sources to ensure accurate cost estimates. Each source offers a unique view of city-level pricing, wages and population trends.
To compare living expenses between two cities, enter your current location and the city you're considering. After your first calculation, you can adjust your household annual income to see how different earnings align with the cost of living in your new city.
Our calculator estimates the income needed to maintain your current lifestyle based on average costs in the selected city.
Start by choosing your current city and the city you’re interested in moving to. Our calculator includes nearly 500 U.S. cities, ranging from large metropolitan areas to smaller towns.
The calculator defaults to an annual income of $50,000, but you can adjust this to match your actual yearly earnings before taxes. After your first calculation, you’ll have the option to modify this amount.
After you submit your details, the calculator provides two key insights: the estimated income needed to maintain your current lifestyle in the new city and a side-by-side comparison of major expense categories.
At the top of the results page, you'll find the adjusted income requirement, which shows whether your earnings would need to increase or decrease based on local costs. Below that, a detailed category breakdown highlights percentage differences in expenses such as housing, groceries and transportation, helping you see where costs might rise or fall so you can make necessary financial adjustments.
Let’s say you currently live in San Francisco, California, earn $100,000 per year and are considering a move to Austin, Texas. According to the MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator, you would need $58,393 in Austin to maintain the same lifestyle — that is 71% less than in San Francisco.
Housing costs make the biggest impact, coming in 64% lower in Austin. Renting an apartment drops from $3,749 in San Francisco to $1,849 in Austin, while the median home price falls from $1.38 million to $500,842. Other everyday expenses also decrease, including groceries (9% lower), utilities (34% lower) and health care (27% lower).
However, not all costs see a major drop. Phone bills remain nearly the same, and wine is actually 1% more expensive in Austin. These smaller differences highlight areas where budgeting adjustments might still be necessary.
Housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and entertainment are the main factors shaping the cost of living in any city. Prices vary by location and impact overall affordability.
Housing
Housing is often the biggest expense in any budget, whether you're renting or buying a home. Costs vary widely based on demand, location and local property taxes, making this a key factor in affordability comparisons.
A high-demand metro area like San Francisco may have skyrocketing rents and steep home prices, while a mid-sized city like Austin offers more spacious and affordable housing options. Housing cost differences can eat up a large chunk of your income.
Grocery
Grocery prices depend on local supply chains, transportation costs and state taxes. Items like milk, eggs and fresh produce may cost more in areas where they need to be transported from far away.
In some cities, grocery bills are notably higher due to import costs or fewer discount retailers, while others offer lower food prices thanks to local agriculture and competitive markets. Since food is a daily necessity, even small pricing differences add up over time.
Utilities
Monthly utility bills cover electricity, water, heating, cooling, internet and phone services. Climate, local energy rates and infrastructure all affect how much residents pay.
Extreme weather conditions can drive up heating or air conditioning costs. States with regulated energy markets may have higher or lower rates depending on policies and provider competition.
Transportation
Commuting costs depend on gas prices, public transit options and vehicle expenses. For instance, in Los Angeles, where driving is essential, residents often deal with high fuel prices and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, in New York City, most people rely on public transit and swap gas and car payments for subway fares and monthly passes.
Other factors, like parking fees, tolls and rideshare services, also influence transportation expenses. Car-heavy cities tend to have higher fuel and upkeep costs, while places with robust public transit systems may offer more affordable alternatives.
Health Care
Medical costs include doctor visits, prescription medications, insurance premiums and hospital care. Prices fluctuate depending on local health care providers, insurance regulations and demand for medical services.
In cities with more hospitals and specialists, medical services may be more competitively priced, while areas with fewer health care options might have higher out-of-pocket costs.
Entertainment
Entertainment spending involves dining out, watching movies, joining fitness clubs and engaging in recreational activities. While not essential, these expenses contribute to overall quality of life and vary widely between cities.
Take Boston, for example — a high-cost city where activities like concerts, dining and fitness classes often come with premium pricing. A night out at a restaurant or a ticket to a sporting event can cost much more than in smaller, more affordable cities.
These price differences affect how much disposable income is available for leisure and social activities.
As prices rise over time, the cost of essentials like housing, groceries and utilities increases.
Inflation also affects cost-of-living indices, which must be regularly updated to reflect changing prices.
The cost-of-living index compares the relative affordability of different cities based on essential expenses like housing, groceries, transportation and health care. It provides a numerical score where 100 represents the national average — higher scores indicate more expensive cities, while lower scores suggest greater affordability.
Manhattan has a cost-of-living index more than twice the national average, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. In contrast, Decatur, Illinois ranks more than 20% below the national average, offering lower living costs.
Relocating to a new city comes with financial considerations beyond just housing costs. Here, we answer common questions about moving costs, affordability and key factors that impact the cost of living.
The cost of living is the most important factor, as it affects how comfortably you can live in a given place. You should also think about job opportunities, long-term financial goals and quality of life. Can you still save for a home, retirement or debt repayment? Additionally, consider amenities, climate and proximity to friends and family to determine if the city aligns with your lifestyle.
Moving expenses vary depending on distance, location and services needed. Costs may include movers, truck rentals, fuel, plane tickets, temporary lodging and food. A local move may cost a few hundred dollars, while long-distance moves can run several thousand dollars, especially when hiring professional movers.
A cost of living calculator can help determine whether relocating is financially feasible. MoneyGeek’s tool compares expenses based on your income, giving a clearer picture of whether your salary can support your lifestyle in a new location. Consider not just day-to-day expenses but also savings, debt payments and long-term financial goals.
The easiest way is to use a cost of living calculator like MoneyGeek’s, which breaks down expenses across cities. Government sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and C2ER’s Cost of Living Index (COLI) also provide reliable data on regional price differences.
The average annual cost of living for a U.S. household was $77,280 ($6,440 per month) in 2023, with housing being the largest expense at 32.9% of total spending. Costs vary widely by location — high-cost cities like New York (Manhattan) exceed twice the national average, while more affordable areas like Decatur, IL, fall 20% below it.
A common rule is the 50/30/20 budget: 50% for necessities (housing, food, utilities and transportation), 30% for discretionary spending and 20% for savings or debt repayment. However, high-cost cities may require adjusting these percentages based on income and expenses.
About Nathan Paulus
Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.
Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.
