Cost of Living Comparison
Compare expenses across 30 major cities worldwide. See category breakdowns and find your equivalent salary.
Compare Two Cities
Select your current city and the city you're considering. All costs are monthly estimates in USD.
Track your expenses after you move
Moving to a new city? Pocket Clear helps you track your actual spending and see how it compares to your budget. No bank linking needed -- works anywhere in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is cost of living calculated?
Cost of living is calculated by comparing the prices of essential goods and services across cities, including rent, groceries, dining, transportation, utilities, and entertainment. Each category is weighted to reflect typical spending patterns. Our data uses New York City as the baseline (index 100).
What salary do I need to maintain my lifestyle in a new city?
Use the salary converter in our calculator above. Enter your current salary and select both cities. The tool calculates what you would need to earn in the new city to maintain the same purchasing power, factoring in differences across all major spending categories.
Which is the most expensive city to live in?
As of 2026, Zurich, New York City, San Francisco, Singapore, and Hong Kong consistently rank among the most expensive cities globally. However, the "most expensive" depends on your lifestyle -- a city might have high rent but affordable food, or vice versa. Our calculator breaks down costs by category so you can see exactly where the differences are.