COST OF LIVING COMPARISON
Compare the cost of living between two cities
A useful city comparison asks how much income remains after housing, taxes, transportation, healthcare and recurring household costs—not only whether one index is higher.
What to include in a city cost comparison
Housing normally creates the largest difference, but it is not the only factor. Compare rent or mortgage payments, commuting, insurance, groceries, utilities, local taxes and healthcare. Use the neighborhood and household that match your likely move.
Why averages can mislead
City averages combine very different neighborhoods and lifestyles. A remote worker, a downtown commuter and a family with childcare can experience the same city very differently. Replace averages with your own numbers whenever possible.
Compare monthly cash flow
Start with estimated take-home pay. Subtract recurring costs in both cities and compare the remaining amount. Then calculate the first year separately because moving, deposits and temporary housing are one-time expenses.
Use a range instead of one answer
Run conservative, base and optimistic scenarios. The range shows whether the decision is robust or depends on rent, bonuses or other uncertain assumptions.