US Cost of Living Calculator – Compare Cities and Estimate Equivalent Salary | WordMitr
US Cost of Living Calculator
Compare two US cities, estimate your equivalent salary, and understand how your day-to-day costs might change before you accept a job or plan a move.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not give legal, tax, or financial advice.
Start by choosing your current city, the city you’re considering, and your current annual salary. We’ll estimate how much you would need to earn in the new location to maintain a similar lifestyle.
This is a simplified comparison using cost-of-living indices (housing, food, transport, and utilities). Use it as a starting point when evaluating job offers, remote work moves, or college relocations.
Tip: Use your base salary before bonuses to keep comparisons simple.
Comparison Results
Estimated Equivalent Salary
$0
to maintain similar lifestyle
Relative Cost Difference
0%
City Cost Impact
Similar Cost
These are approximate estimates based on composite US cost-of-living indices (housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation). Always double-check with local data, your employer, or a professional advisor before making final decisions.
How this US cost of living calculator works
This tool uses simple cost-of-living indices to compare how expensive one city is relative to another. Each city is given a number (for example, 150 vs 100), and we use that ratio to estimate what your salary would need to be to keep a similar lifestyle.
It’s not perfect, and it won’t capture every detail of your situation, but it can help you have a more grounded conversation when you’re negotiating a remote job, moving for school, or thinking about relocating inside the US.
- ✓ Housing: rent or mortgage costs in typical neighborhoods
- ✓ Food: groceries, casual dining and basic restaurant prices
- ✓ Transportation: gas, public transit, car ownership costs
- ✓ Utilities: electricity, heating, cooling, water and internet
Who this calculator is especially useful for
- • US workers comparing job offers in different cities and wondering if a higher salary really means more money left at the end of the month.
- • Remote employees thinking about moving from a high-cost city to a lower-cost area.
- • Students or families relocating across states who want a rough cost comparison before planning a detailed budget.
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Quick FAQs
Is this calculator accurate enough to sign a lease or job contract? ›
No. It is a helpful starting point, not a final answer. Always check local rent listings, utilities, taxes, and employer benefits before committing to a move or offer.
Does this tool calculate US income tax or state tax? ›
No. It only compares general cost-of-living indices. For tax-related estimates on investments, you can explore our Crypto Tax & Profit Calculator, but it is also educational only.
Can I use this outside the US? ›
The tool is designed with a US audience in mind and uses US city indices. For international moves, treat the results as very rough guidance only.