CITYCOST FAQ
Cost of living calculator frequently asked questions
How CityCost estimates moving costs, salary differences and relocation decisions.
Calculations and data
What does a cost of living comparison measure?
It estimates how expenses such as housing, transportation, food, healthcare, utilities and taxes differ between locations.
Is an equivalent salary a guaranteed number?
No. It is an estimate based on assumptions. Household size, neighborhood, taxes, debt and lifestyle can materially change the result.
Does CityCost tell me whether to move?
No. It organizes financial trade-offs; it cannot decide whether relocation is right for your career, family or wellbeing.
What does the paid report include?
A first-year cash-flow review, three scenarios, salary floor and target, relocation package gap, negotiation scripts and a due-diligence checklist.
Is the report financial or tax advice?
No. It is a structured inference based on user inputs, simplified assumptions and public information. Verify important figures independently.
Why separate the first year from later years?
The first year contains one-time costs such as deposits, travel, temporary housing and moving services. Later years usually do not.
Can bonuses replace base salary?
Not perfectly. Bonuses may be discretionary and base salary affects future raises, retirement contributions and job changes.
How should I use the negotiation target?
Use it as a discussion anchor, then validate it against the written offer, market compensation and your own constraints.