Cost of Living Calculator

Cost of living indexes compare the price of a fixed basket of goods and services — housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare — against a national average of 100. A city with an index of 150 costs 50% more than the national average overall. The most widely used US index is the C2ER COLI (Council for Community and Economic Research), updated quarterly.

To maintain your current standard of living after moving, multiply your current salary by the ratio of the new city's COLI to your current city's COLI. For example, if you earn $80,000 in Indianapolis (COLI 90) and move to Austin (COLI 119), you need $80,000 × (119 ÷ 90) = $105,800 in Austin to keep the same purchasing power.

Among major US cities, San Francisco and San Jose consistently rank as the most expensive, with overall cost of living indexes around 210–225 versus the national average of 100. New York City follows at approximately 187. The primary driver in all three cities is housing, which runs 300–400% of the national average.

Among major metros, El Paso TX, Memphis TN, and Cleveland OH are consistently among the most affordable, with COLI indexes in the low 80s. Housing costs in these cities run 70–75% of the national average. Mid-size Midwest cities like Indianapolis, Columbus, and Kansas City also offer below-average costs at index levels of 88–91.

The standard C2ER COLI does not include income taxes, which vary significantly by state. When evaluating a move, income tax rates can be as important as day-to-day costs — states like Texas, Florida, and Nevada have no state income tax, while California taxes top earners at 13.3%. Always add state income tax analysis to a full cost-of-living comparison.

The C2ER Cost of Living Index is updated quarterly. Dayblip uses the most recent Q4 2024 data. Housing values use Zillow's Observed Rent Index and Home Value Index as of December 2024. Income figures use US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2023). The data will next be refreshed in January 2026.