Cost of Living Calculator

Compare the cost of living between two cities to determine your required salary.

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Standard of living comparison

Select your current city and destination city above to calculate your required salary.

$0
Select cities to view cost difference
Housing Costs
-48.3%
Category
New York
Dallas
Median 2-bedroom apartment rent
New York
$4,425
Dallas
$2,287
Median home price (3BR, 2BA)
New York
$1,702,100
Dallas
$355,901
Category
New York
Dallas
Inexpensive restaurant meal
New York
$25.00
Dallas
$20.00
Grocery basket index / avg
New York
$6.52
Dallas
$4.83
Category
New York
Dallas
Monthly transit pass
New York
$129.50
Dallas
$96.00
Gasoline per liter
New York
$1.29
Dallas
$1.14
Category
New York
Dallas
Basic utilities
New York
$171.08
Dallas
$166.81
Fitness club monthly
New York
$106.15
Dallas
$42.18

What is included in the cost of living?

Find out what is included in the cost of living

01

Housing Costs

This is typically the largest monthly expense. It includes median home prices, property taxes, and average rental rates. Moving from a midwestern city to a coastal metro area can drastically shift how much of your salary goes toward housing.

02

Transportation

The cost of commuting varies widely. This accounts for local gas prices, toll roads, vehicle registration, and public transit costs.

03

Food & Groceries

Weekly trips to the grocery store add up. The index tracks the changing prices of everyday items like eggs, bread, milk, and dining out.

03

Taxes

State and local income taxes play a massive role in your actual take-home pay. Moving to a state with zero income tax can feel like an immediate raise, while moving to a high-tax state requires a base salary adjustment to break even.

Frequently asked questions about transportation executive search

How do I calculate the cost of living difference between two cities?

To calculate the difference, you can plug your current city, destination city, and current salary into our calculator above. The tool will cross-reference regional data to show you exactly how much you need to earn in the new city to maintain your current lifestyle.

Does the cost of living calculator include state taxes?

Cost of living indices generally focus on the price of consumer goods, housing, and services. However, when evaluating a job offer, you must independently factor in state and local income taxes, as these will heavily dictate your net take-home pay.

How much of my salary should go toward the cost of living?

Financial experts generally recommend the "50/30/20 rule." This means 50% of your net income goes toward needs (housing, groceries, utilities), 30% toward wants (entertainment, dining out), and 20% toward savings and investments.

What state has the highest cost of living?

Historically, Hawaii, New York, California, and Massachusetts consistently rank among the states with the highest overall cost of living, largely driven by exceptionally high housing costs and state taxes.