Cost of Living City Comparison Calculator

Each city comparison analyzes 62 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.

The biggest gap in our database is between San Francisco (index: 244) and Raleigh (index: 100), with a 144% 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.

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.