Is this the same as an official CPI or inflation index?

No. Official indexes such as the [BLS CPI](https://www.bls.gov/cpi/) track price changes for a statistical basket. This calculator is a personal relocation model based on the categories you enter.

Which official data can I use to refine the inputs?

For U.S. households, the [BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys](https://www.bls.gov/cex/) are useful for category weights, while CPI data can help update prices over time.

Cost of Living Calculator

City Budget & Salary Comparison

Location Setup

Base City

Comparison City

Current Monthly Income

Expense Basket

Category Name

New York Cost

London Cost

Category Name

New York Cost

London Cost

Category Name

New York Cost

London Cost

Category Name

New York Cost

London Cost

Category Name

New York Cost

London Cost

Relocation Budget

Compare the budget you actually live on, not a generic city score

A serious cost-of-living comparison starts with your own basket: rent, transport, food, utilities, healthcare, childcare, taxes and recurring subscriptions. Use official references like BLS Consumer Expenditures and BLS CPI to sanity-check category weights, then adjust for your neighborhood and household.

"The most useful relocation number is not the headline index; it is the income needed to keep your current lifestyle intact."

Separate fixed and flexible costs

Housing, insurance and commuting usually move the decision more than coffee or entertainment. Model those first.

Use after-tax income

Salary comparisons should be based on take-home cash, especially across regions with different payroll taxes or benefits.

Review the biggest drivers

A cheaper city can still be worse for your budget if one category, such as transport or healthcare, rises sharply.

Frequently Asked Questions

It compares your monthly basket of expenses in a base city against the same basket in a comparison city, then estimates the monthly difference, annual difference, cost index, and salary required to keep similar purchasing power.

Compare the budget you actually live on, not a generic city score

Frequently Asked Questions

It compares your monthly basket of expenses in a base city against the same basket in a comparison city, then estimates the monthly difference, annual difference, cost index, and salary required to keep similar purchasing power.