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Relocation Cost Estimator

Moving to a new city? Find the salary you'd need to keep the same standard of living, powered by Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for 387 metros across all 50 states.

387
Metros covered
83.6
Cheapest - Monroe
4
Price categories compared

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices vary by more than 30% across U.S. metros. This estimator uses the agency's 2024 Regional Price Parities, published in December 2025, to convert a salary into its equivalent purchasing power in another city, a $100,000 salary buys far more in the cheapest metros than in San Francisco. See our methodology for the calculation.

Where a salary stretches furthest

The 10 most affordable U.S. metros by overall RPP, and what a $100,000 national salary is worth in each.

# Metro area RPP$100K buys
1 Monroe 83.6 $119,622
2 Eagle Pass 83.8 $119,325
3 Dothan 83.8 $119,285
4 Texarkana 84.0 $119,031
5 Enid 84.3 $118,668
6 Hammond 84.5 $118,399
7 Shreveport-Bossier City 84.8 $117,972
8 Florence-Muscle Shoals 84.8 $117,901
9 Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux 85.1 $117,505
10 Wildwood-The Villages 85.4 $117,063

"$100K buys" = purchasing power of a $100,000 national-average salary in that metro (100 ÷ local RPP × $100K). Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the salary adjustment calculated?
The adjusted salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the target metro's Regional Price Parity (RPP) to your current metro's RPP. For example, if your current metro has an RPP of 90 and the target has 110, you'd need about 22% more salary to maintain the same purchasing power.
What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?
Regional Price Parities are indexes published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure the relative price levels of goods, services, and rents in each metro area compared to the national average (100). An RPP of 110 means prices are 10% above the national average.
Does this account for taxes?
No. This calculator estimates purchasing power differences based on cost of living (prices of goods, services, and housing). State and local income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes are not included. Consider using a tax calculator alongside this tool for a complete picture.
How current is the data?
The Regional Price Parity data comes from the most recent BEA release, covering 387 metro areas across the United States. BEA typically updates RPP data annually with a one- to two-year lag.
Can I use this for remote work salary negotiations?
Yes. If your employer adjusts pay by location, this tool shows the data-backed salary equivalent. You can point to BEA RPP data to justify your ask. See our guide on using RPP data in salary negotiations for detailed strategies.

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities covering 387 US metro areas. This tool provides estimates for general comparison purposes only and does not account for individual spending patterns, taxes, or specific housing costs.

Every figure on PlainCost is rendered directly from BEA Regional Price Parity source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on BEA Regional Price Parity source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.