Cost of Living Comparison Calculator — United States 2025
Thinking of moving? Compare what your salary is really worth.
Compare the real cost of living between major US cities. Estimate equivalent salary, rent pressure, commuting costs, and moving trade-offs across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, and Denver.
United States Cost of Living Notes
US city comparisons usually swing on housing, taxes, and transport. New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, and Denver can require a much higher equivalent salary than Houston, Atlanta, or Chicago even when headline pay looks strong.
This version is tailored to US relocation decisions, where state taxes, health-insurance contributions, and car dependence can change the salary you need more than grocery prices do.
US setup: this cost of living comparison is tuned for dollar-denominated scenarios, American payroll and tax references, state-by-state cost differences, and the finance terms people see in lender, employer, or IRS-facing documents.
The page keeps US language in place where it is relevant, including IRS, federal withholding, FICA, 401(k), sales tax, miles, APR, down payment, paycheck, state tax, and USD totals.
Treat the answer as a United States estimate; before acting, compare it with provider disclosures, state rules, federal guidance, lender underwriting, payroll settings, or advice from a qualified professional.
Indicative estimates based on composite cost indices. Housing varies significantly by suburb. Verify with local data before relocating.
Select the question that best matches your situation.
The equivalent salary is the income you would need in City B to maintain exactly the same lifestyle as in City A. It is calculated using a composite cost index for each city based on housing, food, transport, and utilities.
Housing is the biggest single factor — typically 30–35% of spending. A 20% housing cost difference between cities has a 6–10% impact on total living costs. Food and transport differences between major US cities are typically 5–10%.
The index uses median/average figures. Your actual cost depends heavily on the suburb, your lifestyle, whether you rent or own, household size, and commute distance. Use Standard mode for a component breakdown and adjust manually.
If you are relocating for a new role, use the equivalent salary as your benchmark. Moving from Sydney to Brisbane and accepting $82k for a $100k Sydney role preserves purchasing power — but check the employer is not applying a city discount on top of the lower cost base.
Housing is the dominant cost-of-living variable between US cities. The national housing shortage has compressed cost differences since 2021, but significant gaps remain.
Sydney median rents are 20–40% above Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. This gap drives most of the overall cost-of-living difference. Regional NSW cities (Newcastle, Wollongong) are 15–25% cheaper than Sydney with similar commute options.
This calculator uses rental cost data. If you are buying, the index shifts further: Sydney median house prices are 40–60% above Melbourne and Brisbane. Perth and Adelaide have seen strong price growth since 2022 — use current data from realestate.com.au or domain.com.au.
Darwin has unusually high utility costs (air conditioning runs year-round) and above-average food costs due to freight. The overall index is near Sydney but the composition is different — lower housing, much higher utilities and groceries.
The cost index is a composite number (Sydney = 100) that represents the average relative cost of living in each city. It combines housing, food, transport, and utilities using spending weights from ABS household expenditure data.
Select “Custom city” in the dropdown and enter your own index. Use Numbeo (numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=the United States) for individual city data, or the ABS Consumer Price Index for a government source. Set Sydney = 100 as the reference.
A single index number cannot capture lifestyle differences. Canberra has a high index (92) partly because of government sector wages pushing up service costs — but also has excellent public infrastructure. The index is a starting point, not a complete picture.
The equivalent salary calculation assumes you spend the same proportion of income on each category in both cities. In practice, you might choose a cheaper suburb or reduce housing costs by house-sharing — which would shift your personal effective index lower than the city average.
The cost of living comparison is one input into a relocation decision. Salary equivalence matters, but so do career trajectory, family, lifestyle preferences, and one-off moving costs.
Interstate removalists typically cost $3,000–$8,000 for a 2-bedroom household. Factor in a rental bond (4 weeks rent), overlapping rent or temporary accommodation, and time off work. Budget at least $10,000–$15,000 for a full interstate move before you start saving.
Employers in lower-cost cities may try to pay below your equivalent salary on the basis that “it’s cheaper there.” Know your equivalent: if you earn $120k in Sydney and move to Melbourne, $106k+ preserves your living standard. Below that you are taking a real pay cut.
Career opportunity, proximity to family and friends, lifestyle (beaches, weather, nightlife), school quality, and healthcare access are real but unquantifiable. The financial equivalence is the floor — everything else is your decision.
Methodology — equivalent salary, cost index, and spending weights
The equivalent salary formula
The equivalent salary is calculated as: Equivalent = Income × (City B index ÷ City A index). If you earn $100,000 in Sydney (index 100) and want to compare to Brisbane (index 82), the equivalent is $100,000 × 82/100 = $82,000.
This means you only need to earn $82,000 in Brisbane to maintain the same purchasing power — because everything costs 18% less on average.
Spending weights used
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Housing (rent/mortgage) | 32% of spending |
| Food & groceries | 18% |
| Transport | 16% |
| Utilities | 8% |
| Other (healthcare, entertainment, clothing) | 26% |
Weights are based on ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2015–16 (most recent available), adjusted for post-COVID housing cost changes. Switch to Detailed mode to see estimated annual spending by category.
Cost index for every major US city — relative to Sydney = 100
| City | Overall index |
|---|---|
| Sydney (NSW) | 100 — reference city |
| Canberra (ACT) | 92 — 8% cheaper than Sydney |
| Darwin (NT) | 95 — 5% cheaper overall; high utilities |
| Melbourne (VIC) | 88 — 12% cheaper than Sydney |
| Perth (WA) | 87 — 13% cheaper; high transport costs |
| Wollongong (NSW) | 85 — 15% cheaper; commutable to Sydney |
| Gold Coast (QLD) | 84 — 16% cheaper; growing fast |
| Brisbane (QLD) | 82 — 18% cheaper than Sydney |
| Geelong (VIC) | 80 — 20% cheaper; commutable to Melbourne |
| Hobart (TAS) | 80 — 20% cheaper overall |
| Newcastle (NSW) | 79 — 21% cheaper; strong job market |
| Adelaide (SA) | 78 — 22% cheaper; most affordable capital |
Note: These are composite averages. Costs vary significantly by suburb and lifestyle. Housing has risen faster than other categories since 2022 — particularly in Perth and Adelaide. Use Numbeo or ABS CPI for up-to-date suburb-level data.
Median rents and house prices across US cities 2025
Median weekly rents (all dwellings, 2025 est.)
| City | Est. weekly rent |
|---|---|
| Sydney | ~$650–750/wk |
| Darwin | ~$580–620/wk |
| Canberra | ~$560–610/wk |
| Melbourne | ~$520–580/wk |
| Perth | ~$510–570/wk |
| Brisbane | ~$490–540/wk |
| Gold Coast | ~$480–520/wk |
| Hobart | ~$460–500/wk |
| Adelaide | ~$440–490/wk |
| Newcastle / Wollongong | ~$450–510/wk |
Rents have increased significantly across all cities since 2022. Perth and Brisbane have seen the fastest rent growth. Always check current listings on realestate.com.au or domain.com.au for the specific suburb you are considering.
How to use this comparison for salary negotiation and relocation planning
Salary negotiation when relocating
When moving from a higher-cost city to a lower-cost city, some employers offer a reduced salary on the basis of lower living costs. Know your number: the equivalent salary from this calculator is your minimum floor. Accepting less than the equivalent means your standard of living drops — you are not just paying for lower costs, you are taking a genuine real-terms pay cut.
When moving to a higher-cost city
Moving from Brisbane to Sydney requires approximately a 22% salary increase to maintain the same lifestyle. If the new employer offers less than the equivalent, you need to factor in the lifestyle trade-off explicitly — and model how long it would take to recover the real-terms gap through career progression.
Adjusting for your personal spending pattern
If you spend more than average on housing (e.g. living alone, not sharing), the housing component matters more. If you have a car loan but use public transport in a new city, transport costs drop. Use Standard mode to see the component breakdown and adjust the index manually for your own lifestyle.
What to check before relocating
- Current rental listings in the suburbs you are considering (not city averages)
- Commute cost and time from affordable suburbs to your workplace
- Whether your industry pays a city-specific market rate (check Seek salary data)
- One-off moving costs: removalist, bond, overlapping rent, time off work
- Any state-based tax differences (e.g. Transfer tax, payroll tax if self-employed)
❓ Frequently asked Frequently asked questions
How much more expensive is Sydney than Melbourne?
Sydney is approximately 12–15% more expensive than Melbourne overall, primarily driven by housing. Sydney median rents are around 20–25% higher. Food and transport are comparable. A $100,000 Melbourne salary equates to roughly $113,000 in Sydney purchasing power.
Is Brisbane cheaper than Sydney?
Yes — Brisbane is approximately 18–22% cheaper than Sydney on a composite basis. Housing is the biggest difference. A $100,000 Sydney salary equates to approximately $82,000 in Brisbane. However, Brisbane rents have risen significantly since 2021 and the gap is narrowing.
Is Perth expensive compared to the east coast?
Perth is comparable to Melbourne overall (index ~87 vs 88) but has higher transport costs due to car dependency and higher fuel prices. Housing is slightly below Melbourne. Some sectors (mining, resources) pay significant Perth or WA market premiums on top of the base salary.
What is the cheapest major US city to live in?
Adelaide is consistently the most affordable US capital city, with a cost index approximately 22% below Sydney. It has relatively affordable housing, low transport costs, and similar food prices to other capitals. Hobart is comparable. Both cities have seen strong population and price growth since 2020.
How do I use this for a city not in the list?
Select “Custom city” in the dropdown and enter your own index number. Set Sydney = 100 as the reference. For data, use Numbeo (numbeo.com), ABS Consumer Price Index, or CBRE’s annual cost-of-living reports. Regional cities such as Cairns, Ballarat, Bendigo, and Townsville typically have indexes in the 65–75 range.
Where these figures come from
Cost-of-living and inflation figures on this page are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI), the Reserve Bank of the United States (inflation target and monetary policy), and the Fair Work Commission (minimum wage).
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) — ABS — Consumer Price Index.
- Household expenditure & income — ABS — Household Expenditure Survey.
- Federal Reserve inflation target — Federal Reserve — Inflation.
- National minimum wage — Fair Work Ombudsman — Minimum wages.
- Fuel & energy price data — US Institute of Petroleum / AER.
Last checked: April 2026. Rates and thresholds are reviewed against the source of record each November, when annual adjustments for the following tax year are published.