City Cost of Living Comparison Calculator
Compare the salary you need to keep the same standard of living between two cities using cost indices.
What does the undefined do?
It estimates the salary you would need in a new city to match your current standard of living, using cost-of-living indices.
- Inputs: the current city, the new city, your current salary and the share of your budget that goes on housing.
- Output: the equivalent salary in the new city and the difference in money.
- Method: the current salary scaled by the ratio of the two city cost indices.
Quick answer
On a salary of 60,000 in Karachi, an equivalent salary in London is about 171,429 given the difference in cost indices. Housing is usually the biggest swing.
What This Calculator Really Does
Moving city changes what your salary really buys. A cost-of-living comparison scales your current salary by the ratio of the two cities cost indices to estimate the equivalent salary in the new location. This tool uses indicative indices and lets you note the housing share, since housing is usually the largest and most volatile component. The output is a like-for-like figure, not a prediction: a lavish spender and a frugal one will feel the same index very differently, and a city can be cheap overall but expensive in the specific area you want to live. Exchange-rate timing matters too for international moves, and taxes differ sharply between countries, so check net pay rather than gross. Use the result alongside a short visit and real rent listings before deciding, and remember the index is an average across a whole city, not your neighbourhood.
The formula it uses
Equivalent salary = current salary x (new city index / current city index). The difference is the equivalent minus the current salary.
Worked example with real numbers
With Karachi at an index of 35 and London at 100, a 60,000 salary scales to about 171,429 in London for a comparable basket of goods and services, a difference of about 111,429.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Comparing gross salaries across countries without accounting for tax and net pay.
- Assuming a city-wide index applies to your neighbourhood, when rents vary widely within a city.
- Ignoring non-salary factors such as commute, childcare and healthcare.
Assumptions and limitations
The indices are indicative averages and are not tied to a specific basket, date or exchange rate. Taxes, childcare, healthcare and lifestyle differences are not modelled.
Disclaimer
This is an educational estimate, not financial or relocation advice. Cost indices are averages that change over time, so verify rents, taxes and living costs directly before making a decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the undefined calculated?
The current salary is multiplied by the new city index divided by the current city index to give the equivalent salary. The steps panel explains each part.
What do I need to use the undefined?
The current city, the new city, your current salary and the share of your budget spent on housing.
What does the result from the undefined show?
The equivalent salary in the new city and the difference from your current salary.
Are cost-of-living indices accurate?
They are useful guides but are city-wide averages, so your actual experience depends on your neighbourhood, lifestyle and family size. Treat them as a starting point.
Should I compare gross or net salary?
Net salary, because tax rates differ sharply between countries and a higher gross can leave you with less take-home pay in a high-tax city.
Is the undefined really free?
Yes — 100 percent free, no sign-up, and everything runs in your browser.
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