US Tools Calculator
Cost of Living Calculator
Find the equivalent salary needed to keep your lifestyle in a different state.
Equivalent salary in California
$120,000.00
- Difference
- +$40,000.00
- Percent change
- +50%
How it works
This compares two states using a composite cost-of-living index (US average = 100), covering everyday costs like housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation. It scales your current salary by the ratio of the two states' indices to estimate what you'd need to earn elsewhere to maintain the same standard of living.
This does not account for state income tax differences — pair it with the State Paycheck Calculator to see the tax side of a move as well. A composite statewide index also smooths over large differences between a state's expensive metro areas and its cheaper rural areas.
Formula
Equivalent salary = Current salary × (Target state index ÷ Current state index)
Example
A $80,000 salary in Texas (index 92) moving to California (index 138): equivalent salary = $80,000 × (138 ÷ 92) = $120,000 — about 50% more to maintain the same purchasing power.
Cost of living index by state
Data reflects 2024
| State | Index (US avg = 100) |
|---|---|
| California | 138 |
| Texas | 92 |
| Florida | 100 |
| New York | 125 |
| New Jersey | 114 |
| Illinois | 94 |
| Pennsylvania | 96 |
| Ohio | 90 |
| Georgia | 89 |
| North Carolina | 91 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the cost-of-living index measure?
It's a composite score covering housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and other everyday costs relative to the US average (100). A state at 120 is roughly 20% more expensive to live in than the national average.
Does this include taxes?
No — this only compares everyday living costs. State income tax, sales tax, and property tax differ separately; use the State Paycheck Calculator and State Mortgage Calculator alongside this one for a fuller picture.
Why does my city feel more or less expensive than the state average?
A statewide index blends expensive metro areas with cheaper small towns and rural areas. If you're comparing specific cities, a city-level cost-of-living index would be more precise than this statewide figure.
Related calculators
Minimum Wage Calculator
US Tools
Calculate earnings at minimum wage by state.
State Sales Tax Calculator
US Tools
Calculate sales tax using each state's actual rate.
State Paycheck Calculator
US Tools
Estimate take-home pay including state income tax.
State Mortgage Calculator
US Tools
Estimate a mortgage payment using state property tax rates.