The Real Cost of Living
in 301 US Cities

All cost estimates are built from four federal data sources: the Bureau of Labor Statistics (occupational wages and consumer prices), U.S. Census Bureau (income and housing data), HUD Fair Market Rents (official rental rate estimates), and the Energy Information Administration (utility and fuel costs). We process each release within two weeks of publication and update our models quarterly.

Our estimates reflect directionally accurate cost differences between cities. We calibrate against published regional indices and validate using industry survey data. For categories like rent and salaries, our numbers closely mirror BLS and Census data. For service costs (plumbing, roofing), we provide ranges that reflect typical contractor pricing in each market. We always show confidence notes and methodology details alongside our data.

Among the 301 cities in our database, San Francisco has the highest cost index at 244 — meaning it's roughly 144% more expensive than the national average across all categories. However, this doesn't account for local salaries, which are often higher in expensive metros.

Start by comparing your current city with potential destinations using our comparison tool — it breaks down differences across all 62 cost topics. For business planning, use our startup cost calculator to estimate expenses in your target city. For relocations, the salary comparison calculator adjusts for purchasing power so you can see what your current income would feel like in a new market.