Moving Cost of Living Calculator
Cost of living varies dramatically between U.S. cities. Moving from San Francisco to Austin, TX reduces living costs by approximately 35–45%, while moving from Houston to New York City increases costs by 60–80%. Housing is the largest variable, accounting for 30–40% of the total cost-of-living difference between cities.
Equivalent Salary = Current Salary × (Destination Cost Index ÷ Origin Cost Index)
Before accepting a job offer in a new city or choosing where to relocate, you need to understand how your daily expenses will change. Our moving cost of living calculator compares major expense categories between your current and destination cities — housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and utilities — so you know exactly what salary you need to maintain your current standard of living.
Data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index and verified against real market data for 2026.
What This Means
Your results show the percentage difference in cost of living between your current city and your destination, broken down by category. A result of "+25%" means expenses in that category are 25% higher at your destination. The "equivalent salary" shows what you'd need to earn to maintain your current lifestyle. Remember that state income tax rates also affect your take-home pay — moving from Texas (0%) to California (13.3% top rate) significantly impacts net income beyond the cost-of-living difference.
Cost of Living Index by Major U.S. City (2026)
The national average cost of living is indexed at 100. Values above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, below 100 indicates lower costs.
| City | Overall Index | Housing | Groceries | Transport | Healthcare | Utilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 179 | 293 | 118 | 133 | 120 | 106 |
| New York City, NY | 187 | 330 | 117 | 128 | 113 | 112 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 166 | 268 | 112 | 131 | 112 | 102 |
| Seattle, WA | 158 | 237 | 115 | 128 | 118 | 95 |
| Boston, MA | 152 | 222 | 110 | 117 | 130 | 115 |
| Denver, CO | 128 | 155 | 104 | 105 | 110 | 96 |
| Austin, TX | 105 | 108 | 97 | 100 | 98 | 99 |
| Nashville, TN | 102 | 104 | 96 | 95 | 96 | 97 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 100 | 100 | 98 | 101 | 95 | 103 |
| Dallas, TX | 97 | 88 | 95 | 97 | 103 | 101 |
| Atlanta, GA | 96 | 85 | 98 | 105 | 101 | 96 |
| Houston, TX | 93 | 80 | 93 | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| San Antonio, TX | 88 | 73 | 91 | 92 | 92 | 97 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 83 | 63 | 92 | 91 | 94 | 96 |
Source: Compiled from BLS data, Census Bureau housing data, and regional market surveys.
How to Calculate Salary Equivalence
When evaluating a job offer in a new city, use this formula to determine what salary maintains your current lifestyle:
Equivalent Salary = Current Salary × (Destination Index ÷ Current City Index)
Example Calculations
| Scenario | Current Salary | Formula | Equivalent Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston → NYC | $85,000 | $85,000 × (187 ÷ 93) | $170,860 |
| NYC → Austin | $150,000 | $150,000 × (105 ÷ 187) | $84,225 |
| Denver → Phoenix | $100,000 | $100,000 × (100 ÷ 128) | $78,125 |
| Atlanta → San Francisco | $95,000 | $95,000 × (179 ÷ 96) | $177,031 |
Important: This formula gives a rough equivalence. Actual financial impact also depends on state income tax rates, property tax rates, commute costs, and lifestyle differences. A $150,000 salary in New York goes further than the index suggests if you don't own a car (saving $8,000–$12,000/year), while a $85,000 salary in Houston requires a car (adding $8,000–$10,000/year in expenses).
State Income Tax Impact on Take-Home Pay
State income tax is a major factor often overlooked in cost-of-living comparisons. Here's how it affects a $100,000 salary:
| State | Top Tax Rate | Tax on $100K | After-Tax Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington | 0% | $0 | $100,000 |
| Colorado | 4.40% | $4,400 | $95,600 |
| Georgia | 5.49% | $4,900 | $95,100 |
| Illinois | 4.95% | $4,950 | $95,050 |
| New York (state only) | 6.85% | $5,600 | $94,400 |
| New York City (state + city) | 10.24% | $8,800 | $91,200 |
| California | 9.3% (at $100K) | $6,200 | $93,800 |
| Oregon | 9.90% | $7,800 | $92,200 |
Moving from New York City to Houston saves approximately $8,800/year in state and city income taxes alone on a $100,000 salary — before considering lower housing costs.
Housing Cost Comparison: The Biggest Factor
Housing accounts for 60–70% of the cost-of-living difference between cities. Here are median costs for 2026:
| City | Median 2BR Rent | Median Home Price | Property Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $3,400/mo | $1,250,000 | 0.73% |
| New York City | $3,800/mo | $850,000 (condo) | 0.88% |
| Los Angeles | $2,800/mo | $920,000 | 0.76% |
| Seattle | $2,400/mo | $780,000 | 0.93% |
| Denver | $1,900/mo | $580,000 | 0.55% |
| Austin | $1,600/mo | $480,000 | 1.80% |
| Dallas | $1,450/mo | $385,000 | 1.93% |
| Atlanta | $1,650/mo | $380,000 | 0.95% |
| Houston | $1,350/mo | $320,000 | 2.03% |
| Oklahoma City | $1,000/mo | $225,000 | 0.87% |
Note that Texas cities have high property tax rates (1.8–2.1%) which partially offset the lack of state income tax, especially for homeowners.
Sources and Methodology
Our cost of living calculator uses:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Price Index data by metro area.
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey for housing and income data.
- State income tax rates from state revenue departments, current as of January 2026.
- Rental data from Zillow, Apartments.com, and HUD Fair Market Rent calculations.
- The C2ER (Council for Community and Economic Research) Cost of Living Index methodology for category weighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is it to live in Texas than California?
Texas is approximately 30–45% cheaper than California overall, with the biggest difference in housing. A median 2-bedroom apartment in Houston costs $1,350/month versus $2,800 in Los Angeles and $3,400 in San Francisco. Additionally, Texas has no state income tax, saving Californians 6–13% of their income depending on their bracket. However, Texas has higher property taxes (1.8–2.1% vs. California's 0.73%) and higher utility costs due to summer cooling demands.
What salary do I need in New York to equal $80,000 in Houston?
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $161,000 in New York City to match $80,000 in Houston. This accounts for the 101% overall cost-of-living difference (NYC index 187 vs. Houston 93), plus New York state and city income taxes (~10.24% combined) versus Texas's 0% state income tax. Housing is the largest gap: a 2-bedroom apartment averages $3,800/month in NYC versus $1,350 in Houston.
Which U.S. cities have the lowest cost of living?
The major U.S. cities with the lowest cost of living in 2026 include: Oklahoma City, OK (index 83), Memphis, TN (index 85), San Antonio, TX (index 88), Indianapolis, IN (index 89), and Kansas City, MO (index 90). These cities offer housing costs 25–40% below the national average. However, lower cost of living often correlates with lower average salaries, so the net benefit depends on your specific job and industry.
Should I negotiate salary when relocating?
Absolutely. If moving to a higher-cost city, use cost-of-living data to justify a salary increase. Show the employer the index comparison and calculate the equivalent salary needed. Many employers, especially for corporate relocations, offer cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) or relocation packages. If moving to a lower-cost city (e.g., remote work from a cheaper market), some employers may reduce salary — use the data to understand and negotiate the adjustment. A strong negotiation position focuses on the value you bring, not just the cost-of-living math.