Cost of Living Calculator: Compare Any Two U.S. Cities

Q: "How is cost of living measured here?"

"We use Regional Price Parities (RPP) published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, where the national average equals 100. An RPP of 112 means prices run about 12% above the national average; 95 means about 5% below."

Q: "What does the 'equivalent salary' mean?"

"It's the income you'd need in the comparison city to maintain the same purchasing power. If $100,000 in your city equals $115,000 in another, you'd need a 15% raise just to break even after cost of living."

Q: "Does this include taxes?"

"No — this compares cost of living (prices for housing, goods, and services) only. For after-tax purchasing power, use our take-home pay calculator, which factors in federal, state, and FICA taxes."

Question 1

How is cost of living measured here?

Answer

We use Regional Price Parities (RPP) published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, where the national average equals 100. An RPP of 112 means prices run about 12% above the national average; 95 means about 5% below.

Question 2

What does the 'equivalent salary' mean?

Answer

It's the income you'd need in the comparison city to maintain the same purchasing power. If $100,000 in your city equals $115,000 in another, you'd need a 15% raise just to break even after cost of living.

Question 3

Does this include taxes?

Answer

No — this compares cost of living (prices for housing, goods, and services) only. For after-tax purchasing power, use our take-home pay calculator, which factors in federal, state, and FICA taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions