Cost of Living Index

The EasyFileKit Cost of Living Index tool lets you compare how far your salary would go in different cities around the world. Enter your current salary and select your city, and the tool calculates the equivalent salary you would need in each of 10 major world cities to maintain the same purchasing power. The index uses NYC as the baseline at 100, so a city with index 80 means you need 20% less income to live equally well there.

| City | Index (NYC = 100) | Salary Multiplier |

| --- | --- | --- |

| New York City | 100 | 1.00x |

| San Francisco | ~95 | 0.95x |

| London | ~93 | 0.93x |

| Tokyo | ~83 | 0.83x |

| Sydney | ~82 | 0.82x |

| Toronto | ~73 | 0.73x |

| Berlin | ~70 | 0.70x |

| Austin | ~67 | 0.67x |

| Lisbon | ~55 | 0.55x |

| Bangkok | ~42 | 0.42x |

The index numbers shown are illustrative. The actual tool uses its own embedded dataset which may differ slightly. The formula is: `equivalent salary = current salary * (target city index / your city index)`. A higher index means a more expensive city.

Enter your current annual salary in the input field

Select your current city from the dropdown list

The tool instantly calculates equivalent salaries for all 10 cities in the dataset

Review the diff percentage column to see which cities require more or less income

Use the results to evaluate job offers, relocation decisions or remote work compensation

The cost-of-living index includes housing (rent and purchase prices), groceries and food, restaurant meals, transportation, utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water), and general consumer goods and services. It does not include income tax, which varies dramatically by country and can change the picture significantly. A city may have a low cost of living but high income tax, reducing your net advantage.

The index is pre-tax — it does not account for income tax, social security or national insurance contributions

It reflects average costs; your actual spending depends on lifestyle, housing choices and family size

Housing costs can vary enormously within a single city based on neighborhood and commute distance

Index values are updated periodically and may not reflect real-time price changes

Healthcare costs are not always fully captured, which matters significantly in countries without universal coverage

Use this tool as a starting point for research, not as a definitive financial plan. Verify with current local sources before making relocation decisions.

If you work remotely for a company in an expensive city but live in a cheaper location, your effective purchasing power can be significantly higher. A $100,000 salary in San Francisco might provide the same lifestyle as $55,000 in Lisbon. However, some employers now implement location-based pay adjustments, reducing your salary if you move to a lower-cost area. When negotiating remote work arrangements, understanding these differentials helps you advocate for fair compensation.

When evaluating a job offer in a different city, do not compare raw salary numbers directly. A $120,000 offer in New York City may provide less purchasing power than a $90,000 offer in Austin. Use the calculator to normalize offers: convert each to the equivalent in your current city, then compare. If a company is relocating you, use the tool to estimate the salary adjustment needed to maintain your standard of living.

For international relocations, the cost-of-living index is just one factor. Additional considerations include currency exchange rates (which fluctuate), visa and work permit costs, relocation packages, international health insurance, differences in public services (education, healthcare, transportation quality) and the social adjustment of living in a new culture. Some companies offer a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as part of expat packages — use this tool to verify that the adjustment is fair.

Even within the United States, cost of living varies dramatically. Housing in San Francisco or New York can cost three to four times more than in cities like Austin, Memphis or Indianapolis. The index captures these differences. A developer earning $150,000 in San Francisco might maintain the same lifestyle on $100,000 in Austin, with the added benefit of no state income tax in Texas. Always compare total compensation including benefits, not just salary.

Q: What is the index based on?

A: Numbeo-style cost-of-living indices using NYC = 100. Includes housing, food, transportation and utilities. Updated periodically — verify with current sources before relocating.

Q: Does this include taxes?

A: No — it is pre-tax cost of living. Tax structures vary widely by country. For net-equivalent, research local tax brackets separately.

Q: How accurate is the equivalent salary?

A: It is a rough estimate. Real cost of living depends on your lifestyle, housing choices and family size. Use as a starting point.

Q: What about remote work?

A: If you work remotely from a cheaper country, you can save significantly. Some employers adjust pay based on location; others do not. Negotiate accordingly.

Q: Is my data uploaded?

A: No — all math runs locally in your browser.

Salary Calculator — convert between hourly, monthly and annual pay

Paycheck Calculator — estimate take-home pay after taxes and deductions

Inflation Calculator — see how inflation erodes purchasing power over time

Budget Planner — create a budget based on your actual cost of living

Tool page — open the Cost of Living Index tool