CostWise
Salary Comparison Tool

Cost of Living Salary Calculator

Compare wages vs cost of living when relocating between US cities. Adjusts for housing costs, state income taxes, groceries, utilities, and overall purchasing power across 47+ major metros.

Enter Your Details
$80,000
$20,000$500,000
Equivalent Salary in Austin
$69,697
You save $10,303 compared to your current city
Formula: $$80,000 × (98.1 ÷ 112.6)
Multiplier
0.87x
Austin is 13% cheaper
Current City
New York City
Above Average
Gross Salary$80,000
State Tax10.9%
Est. Net Income$71,280
Cost Index112.6
Median Rent$1,821/mo
Rent Burden27%
Manageable
Within the recommended 30% rent-to-income ratio.
Target City
Austin
Below Average
Gross Salary$69,697
State TaxNone
Est. Net Income$69,697
Cost Index98.1
Median Rent$1,729/mo
Rent Burden30%
Manageable
Within the recommended 30% rent-to-income ratio.
Estimated Monthly Expenses

Estimated based on city cost indices and typical spending patterns

New York City Monthly Total
$6,134
Austin Monthly Total
$3,276

See the Full Comparison

Explore a detailed side-by-side breakdown of New York City vs Austin.

How Salary Adjustment Works

Cost of Living Index

The core formula uses Regional Price Parities (RPP) from the Bureau of Economic Analysis to measure the relative cost of goods and services across metro areas.

Tax Impact

State income tax rates from the Tax Foundation are applied to calculate net take-home pay differences between states with and without income taxes.

Rent Burden

HUD Fair Market Rent data provides median 2-bedroom apartment costs. The 30% rule is used as the benchmark for housing affordability.

Monthly Estimates

Monthly budget estimates are based on BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages adjusted by each city's category-specific price indices.

Salary Calculator FAQ

Everything you need to know about adjusting your salary for cost of living.

Our salary calculator uses the ratio of cost of living indices between two cities. If you earn $80,000 in a city with an index of 110 and are considering a city with an index of 90, your equivalent salary would be approximately $65,455 ($80,000 × 90/110). We further refine this by factoring in state income tax differences and housing cost ratios.
It depends on your priorities. A lower nominal salary in a cheaper city can give you more purchasing power and a higher savings rate. For example, earning $70,000 in Austin (cost index ~101) can provide a comparable or better lifestyle than $100,000 in San Francisco (cost index ~128). Consider housing costs, state taxes, career growth, and quality of life.
The rent-to-income ratio shows what percentage of your gross monthly income goes to rent. Financial experts recommend keeping this below 30%. A ratio above 30% is considered cost-burdened, and above 50% is severely cost-burdened. Our calculator shows this metric for both your current and target cities.
Our calculations are based on official government data including BEA Regional Price Parities, Census ACS income data, and HUD Fair Market Rents. While individual experiences vary based on specific neighborhoods, lifestyle choices, and personal spending habits, our comparisons provide a reliable baseline for salary negotiation and relocation decisions.
The calculator compares cost of living between cities regardless of where you work. If you work remotely and keep your current salary while moving to a cheaper city, you'll see the full cost of living benefit without a salary adjustment. Simply compare your current city against potential destinations to see how much further your salary goes.