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City Cost of Living Calculator

Estimate and compare your monthly living costs in a city using housing, utilities, transport, food and other common expenses.

Your Details

Overview

The City Cost of Living Calculator helps you estimate how expensive a city may be for your situation. Enter your monthly net income along with housing, utilities, transport, groceries, entertainment and other regular expenses to see your likely monthly budget position.

How it works

The calculator adds together your main monthly living costs to estimate your total monthly cost of living. It then subtracts that total from your monthly net income to show how much money may remain. It also calculates what share of income goes to housing and what percentage of income your full monthly cost of living uses, which can help you compare affordability across cities.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your monthly net income after deductions.
  2. 2Add your expected monthly rent or mortgage cost.
  3. 3Fill in your typical utility, transport and grocery spending.
  4. 4Include dining, entertainment and other recurring monthly expenses.
  5. 5Review your total monthly cost, remaining income and budget ratios.

Example Calculation

Monthly net income

$4,500

Monthly rent or mortgage

$1,800

Monthly utilities

$250

Monthly transport cost

$200

Monthly groceries

$500

Dining and entertainment

$350

Other monthly expenses

$300

Estimated monthly living cost

$3,400

With monthly net income of 4500 and total monthly living costs of 3400, the estimate leaves 1100 remaining each month, with housing using about 40.0% of income.

Frequently asked questions

What does this city cost of living calculator estimate?

It estimates your total monthly living costs in a city and shows how much of your income may remain after regular expenses.

Does this calculator compare two cities directly?

This version estimates one monthly budget at a time, so you can run it more than once and compare the results manually.

Should I use gross income or net income?

Use monthly net income if possible, because it better reflects the money you actually have available to spend.

What expenses should I include in other monthly expenses?

You can include recurring items such as insurance, mobile phone plans, childcare, subscriptions, healthcare costs or personal spending.

Are city living costs the same for everyone?

No. Costs vary by neighborhood, household size, lifestyle, commuting choices and whether you share housing or live alone.

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Assumptions and warnings

Assumptions

  • Results are monthly estimates based only on the costs you enter.
  • The calculator assumes your expenses are broadly consistent from month to month.
  • Housing, utilities, transport, food and lifestyle costs can vary significantly within the same city.
  • This calculator does not include one-off moving costs, deposits, taxes or unexpected expenses unless you add them to other monthly expenses.

Warnings

  • This calculator provides an estimate only and is not financial advice.
  • Actual city living costs can change quickly due to rent, utility prices, inflation and personal spending habits.