Cost of Living by US City
Compare the cost of living index across 30 major US metros. Each city's index is benchmarked against a US national average of 100 — click through for a detailed local breakdown of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare costs.
Moving to a new city or negotiating a remote salary? The single biggest variable in your real purchasing power isn't your paycheck number — it's what that paycheck actually buys where you live. Below, every major US city is ranked by its overall cost of living index, from the most expensive (San Jose and New York, both well above 180) down to the most affordable large metros (Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, both around 88). Use the table to quickly scan where a city lands relative to the national baseline of 100, then open any city page for a full breakdown of what drives that number — typically housing costs first, followed by groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.
| Rank | City | Cost of Living Index | vs. National Avg |
|---|
📍 Reading the Index
What the numbers mean and how to use them when comparing cities.
How it Works
The index benchmarks each city against a US national average of 100. A city at 150 costs roughly 50% more than average; a city at 90 costs about 10% less.
The Formula
Index ≈ Weighted average of Housing (~62%) + Groceries (~12%) + Utilities (~10%) + Transportation (~9%) + Healthcare/Misc (~7%), scaled to 100 = national average.
Pro Tip
Don't compare index numbers alone — compare cost-adjusted purchasing power. A $90K salary in a 90-index city can outpace a $130K salary in a 150-index city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a cost of living index of 100 mean? +
A cost of living index of 100 represents the US national average. A city with an index of 150 is roughly 50% more expensive than the national average across housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. A city at 90 is about 10% cheaper than average.
Which US city has the highest cost of living? +
Among major US cities, San Jose, CA and New York, NY consistently rank at the top with cost of living indexes near or above 187-190, driven overwhelmingly by housing costs. San Francisco is close behind around 180.
Which major US city is the most affordable? +
Among the 30 cities tracked here, Indianapolis, IN and Pittsburgh, PA tie for the lowest index at around 88, followed closely by San Antonio and Columbus. These metros combine lower housing costs with below-average grocery and utility prices.
Does the cost of living index include taxes? +
No. Standard cost of living indexes measure consumer prices for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. State and local income, sales, and property taxes are separate and can meaningfully change your real take-home budget, so pair this data with a salary or tax calculator.
How is the cost of living index calculated? +
Indexes are built from a weighted basket of goods and services, typically about 62% housing, 12% groceries, 10% utilities, 9% transportation, and 7% healthcare and miscellaneous costs, benchmarked against the national average of 100.
Is a lower cost of living always better? +
Not necessarily. Lower-cost cities often pay lower salaries too, so what matters is your cost-adjusted purchasing power, not the raw index number alone. A high-paying job in an expensive city can still leave you with more disposable income than a lower salary in a cheap one.
How often does cost of living data change? +
Cost of living indexes are typically refreshed quarterly or annually as housing prices, rents, and consumer prices shift. Figures on this page are illustrative estimates meant for planning and comparison, not precise real-time pricing.
Should I use cost of living index to negotiate a remote salary? +
Yes, many employers use cost of living or cost of labor adjustments for remote workers. Knowing your target city's index relative to your current city gives you a data point for negotiating a relocation or remote salary adjustment.
What is the biggest driver of cost of living differences between cities? +
Housing is by far the largest factor, often accounting for well over half of the difference between cities. A one-bedroom apartment can cost 3-4 times more in San Francisco or New York than in Indianapolis or Pittsburgh, while groceries and utilities vary far less.
Can I compare two cities directly using this list? +
Yes. Subtract the index values to estimate relative cost. For example, moving from Chicago (105) to Austin (110) is roughly 5% more expensive overall, while moving from Chicago to Indianapolis (88) is roughly 16% cheaper.
Related Calculators
*All cost of living index figures are illustrative estimates for comparison purposes only, not precise real-time pricing or financial advice.