Thinking about relocating? The cost difference between two cities can mean thousands of dollars a year in your pocket — or out of it. Our city comparisons go beyond a single cost-of-living number: we break down 38 individual cost categories so you can see exactly where each city is cheaper or more expensive. The widest gap in our database is between San Francisco and Austin (132% difference), while Chicago and Atlanta are nearly identical in overall cost. Pick any pair below to dive into the details.
All City Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the city comparisons calculated?
Each city comparison analyzes 38 cost categories using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and HUD. We calculate the average cost for each category in both cities, then show the dollar difference and percentage gap. The overall cost index (where 100 = national average) gives you a quick snapshot, while the category-level breakdowns show where each city is cheaper or more expensive.
Which city comparison shows the biggest cost difference?
The biggest gap in our database is between San Francisco (index: 244) and Austin (index: 112), with a 132% difference in overall cost of living. This means someone moving from the cheaper city to the more expensive one could see a significant increase in everyday expenses, especially in housing and professional services.
Should I only consider cost of living when choosing a city?
Cost of living is important, but it's only one factor. Higher-cost cities often offer higher salaries, better job markets, and more amenities. Our comparisons include salary data alongside living costs, so you can see whether higher wages offset the higher expenses. We recommend looking at the salary-adjusted cost picture in each comparison, not just the raw numbers.