Cost of Living Calculator
Cost of Living Calculator
National average index = 100. NYC ≈ 180, Dallas ≈ 105, rural Midwest ≈ 85.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Annual Salary | $80,000 |
| Current City Index | 100 |
| Target City Index | 125 |
| Equivalent Salary Needed | $100,000 |
| Salary Adjustment | +$20,000 (+25.0%) |
| Cost of Living Change | 25.0% more expensive |
| Purchasing Power (current city) | $800.0 / index pt |
| Purchasing Power (target city) | $640.0 / index pt |
Salary vs Equivalent Needed
Calculating Your Real Income
Salary is a relative number. A $100,000 salary in San Francisco may buy less than a $60,000 salary in a small Midwest town. The equivalent salary formula — current salary × (target index ÷ current index) — converts any offer into a like-for-like comparison.
Why Housing Dominates
Housing accounts for 30–40% of most cost-of-living indices. Groceries and utilities rarely vary more than 10–15% between cities, while housing can vary by 300% or more — making it the primary driver of regional wealth differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
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