Cost of Living Calculator

Find the salary you’d need in another state to keep the same standard of living, based on official federal price data.

By the CalculateBright team · Updated · How we calculate

  

    How to use the Cost of Living calculator

    1. Enter your numbers. Fill in current salary, current state, moving to.
    2. Read your results. Results update instantly. The headline shows the equivalent salary in California; the breakdown and table below show the details.

    Where the data comes from

    This calculator uses Regional Price Parities (RPPs) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. RPPs measure how price levels in each state compare with the national average (U.S. = 100), covering goods, services and housing rents. The 2024 figures were released February 19, 2026.

    Equivalent salary = salary × RPPnew state ÷ RPPcurrent state

    Worked example

    A $75,000 salary in Texas (RPP 97.1) has the same buying power as about $85,600 in California (RPP 110.7).

    Limitations

    • RPPs are statewide averages. Big cities are more expensive than rural areas in the same state.
    • They don’t include income taxes. Pair this with the state paycheck calculators for take-home pay.
    • Housing rents drive most of the differences; your costs depend on whether you rent or own.

    Worked example

    With these inputs: current salary $75,000; current state Texas; moving to California.

    The calculator gives an equivalent salary in California of $85,558 (California prices are 14.1% higher than Texas). Other results: Texas price level 97.1 (U.S. = 100), California price level 110.7 (U.S. = 100), difference in pay needed $10,558.

    What your results mean

    The equivalent salary buys the same basket of goods, services and rent in the new state as your current salary does now. It doesn’t account for taxes or city-level differences.

    Tips

    • Check rent listings in the specific city you’re moving to.
    • Compare take-home pay, not just gross salary.
    • Use the result as a starting point in salary negotiations.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do I need to make in California to equal $60,000 in Texas?

    About $68,400, based on BEA price parities (110.7 vs 97.1).

    What are Regional Price Parities?

    A BEA measure comparing price levels across states and metro areas as a percentage of the national average.

    Which state has the highest cost of living?

    In BEA’s 2024 data, California (110.7), Hawaii (110.0) and New Jersey (108.8) had the highest price levels; D.C. was 109.9.

    Which state is cheapest?

    Arkansas (86.9), Mississippi (87.0), Iowa (87.8) and Oklahoma (87.8).

    Does this include taxes?

    No. Income and sales taxes differ by state; check take-home pay separately.

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    Sources