Frequently Asked Questions
What are Regional Price Parities (RPPs) and how do they work?
Regional Price Parities are published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and measure how much prices differ across U.S. regions compared to the national average. The national average is set to 100. An RPP of 120 means prices are 20% above the national norm; an RPP of 85 means 15% below.
How is the salary equivalent calculator calculated?
The calculator uses BEA RPP indices to find the salary that provides equivalent purchasing power in a different city. The formula is: Equivalent Salary = Current Salary × (Target City RPP ÷ Current City RPP). This is a linear estimate based on price levels — it does not account for state income taxes or lifestyle differences.
Why is my city's cost of living score different from what I expected?
RPPs reflect a broad basket of goods and services weighted by national average consumption patterns, not by how a particular household spends money. If you spend more on rent than average, your personal cost of living experience may be higher than the RPP suggests. Rents are available as a separate category for more targeted comparisons.
How current is PlainCost's data?
BEA publishes updated RPP data annually, typically with a 1–2 year lag relative to the reference year. PlainCost reflects the most recent BEA release. Historical data from 2008 onward is available for trend analysis.
Does PlainCost cover rural areas and small towns?
PlainCost covers 387 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and all 51 U.S. states and territories. Rural areas that fall outside a defined MSA are covered at the state level, not at the individual county or town level.
What is the difference between 'Goods' and 'Services' in the cost breakdown?
The BEA breaks RPPs into subcategories. 'Goods' covers tradable items like food, clothing, electronics, and transportation. 'Services (excluding rents)' covers healthcare, education, utilities, and professional services. 'Rents' is separated because housing costs vary enormously across regions and would otherwise dominate the overall index.
Is PlainCost affiliated with the Bureau of Economic Analysis?
No. PlainCost is an independent data portal built by Kiznis.Studio. We present BEA public data in a more accessible format but are not affiliated with the BEA or any government agency.