Cost of Living Comparison Calculator
A cost-of-living comparison tells you how much income you need in one city to match the standard of living you have in another. It works from cost-of-living indices — numbers that express a city’s prices relative to a baseline. This calculator uses two indices to convert a salary from one city into its equivalent in another.
Enter your current salary and the cost-of-living index for your current city and the city you are considering. The calculator returns the salary you would need in the new city to maintain the same purchasing power. Indices are general averages — actual costs vary by lifestyle and neighbourhood.
It is the calculation behind every "how much do I need to earn there?" question — the number that tells you whether a move or a remote-work arrangement will leave you better or worse off in real terms.
Enter your values to see the result.
How this is calculated
The calculator uses two cost-of-living indices, one for your current city and one for the target city, each expressing that city’s prices relative to a common baseline. The equivalent salary in the target city is your current salary multiplied by the target index and divided by the current index. This preserves purchasing power: if the target city is cheaper (lower index), the equivalent salary is lower; if it is more expensive, the equivalent salary is higher.
The result is the gross salary that buys the same basket of goods in the target city as your current salary buys at home. It is a pure price comparison — it does not account for income tax, social contributions, currency stability, or differences in public services and quality of life, all of which affect real living standards.
Indices vary by source because each uses its own basket, weights and base city. Always use indices from the same publisher for both cities, so the comparison is internally consistent. If your source publishes rent separately from the main index, use a rent-inclusive figure for salary comparisons, since housing is usually the largest cost.
Worked example
A $60,000 salary in a city with index 100, considering a move to a city with index 85.
- 1Equivalent = 60,000 × 85 ÷ 100 = $51,000.
- 2The target city is 15% cheaper, so $51,000 buys the same standard of living as $60,000 at home.
- 3Any offer above $51,000 leaves you better off in real terms; below it, worse off.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a cost-of-living index?
- It is a number that expresses a city’s overall prices relative to a base city (often New York = 100). A city with an index of 70 is 30% cheaper than the base; one with 120 is 20% more expensive. Indices bundle housing, food, transport and other costs into one figure.
- Where do I find cost-of-living indices?
- Several publishers produce them — Numbeo, Mercer, ECA International and the World Bank, among others. Use the same source for both cities so the comparison is consistent, since each source uses its own basket and baseline.
- Does this account for taxes?
- No. It compares gross purchasing power using price indices only. Income tax and social contributions differ between countries and can materially change net income, so factor those in separately for a full picture.
- Which index source should I use?
- Use the same source for both cities — Numbeo, Mercer, ECA International or the World Bank, among others. Each uses a different basket and base, so mixing sources produces inconsistent results. For salary comparisons, prefer a rent-inclusive index.
- Does this account for tax?
- No. It compares gross purchasing power using price indices only. Income tax and social contributions differ between countries and can materially change net income, so factor them in separately using the Salary Abroad Calculator.
Related calculators
Method: salary × (target index ÷ current index). Indices vary by source; use the same publisher for both cities. Published indices include Numbeo, Mercer and ECA International. Last updated: September 2026.
These results are indicative estimates for planning only and do not constitute financial advice. Exchange rates, tax rules, customs allowances and tipping customs vary by country, provider and over time. Always confirm figures with your bank, the relevant authority or a qualified adviser before acting on a calculation.