What Is the Cost of Living Index?
Our Cost of Living Index measures how expensive it is to live in a city or area compared to the national average of 100. A score of 120 means living costs are 20% above average, while 80 means 20% below.
How the Index Is Calculated
The index is a weighted composite of three components:
-
Housing Costs — 40%
Median rent compared to the US median ($1,319/mo) -
Regional Prices — 35%
BEA Regional Price Parities measuring goods & services costs per metro area -
Home Values — 25%
Median home value relative to the national median ($304,900)
How to Use This Data
The index is designed for quick comparisons. If you're considering a move from New York City (index ~210) to Austin, Texas (index ~95), the 115-point gap tells you Austin is roughly half as expensive across housing, goods, and services combined. For precise budgeting, drill down into individual city pages for rent, home values, and income figures.
Data Sources & Methodology Snapshot
Sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), HUD Fair Market Rents, Zillow Research. The index is recalculated monthly using the latest available government surveys and housing market data to ensure accuracy.
Cost of Living by State
Click a state to explore its cities. Green = below average, red = above.
Compare Two Places
Select two cities or two states to see a side-by-side cost of living comparison.