Cost of Living Salary Calculator: Taxes + Prices
Most cost of living calculators ignore taxes, and most tax calculators ignore prices. This one does both. It takes your 2026 take-home pay after federal and state taxes, then adjusts it for how expensive each state is, using the official Regional Price Parities from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Examples (single, no 401(k))
| Move | Salary needed there | Buying power at the same salary |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 in California → Texas | $78,249 | +$15,759 |
| $90,000 in New York → Florida | $79,907 | +$6,867 |
| $75,000 in Illinois → Tennessee | $63,652 | +$8,996 |
| $80,000 in Texas → Washington | $91,252 | -$7,251 |
| $120,000 in Massachusetts → North Carolina | $103,411 | +$11,674 |
Most and least expensive states
Regional Price Parities for 2024 (released February 2026). 100 is the U.S. average; 110 means prices are 10% higher.
| State | Price level | vs U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| California | 110.7 | +10.7% |
| Hawaii | 110.0 | +10.0% |
| Washington, D.C. | 109.9 | +9.9% |
| New Jersey | 108.8 | +8.8% |
| New York | 107.9 | +7.9% |
| Washington | 107.0 | +7.0% |
| Massachusetts | 105.8 | +5.8% |
| Maryland | 105.0 | +5.0% |
| … | ||
| North Dakota | 89.0 | -11.0% |
| Alabama | 88.8 | -11.2% |
| South Dakota | 88.6 | -11.4% |
| Louisiana | 88.2 | -11.8% |
| Oklahoma | 87.8 | -12.2% |
| Iowa | 87.8 | -12.2% |
| Mississippi | 87.0 | -13.0% |
| Arkansas | 86.9 | -13.1% |
Why taxes and prices both matter
Florida has no state income tax but prices are above the national average. Tennessee has no wage tax and low prices. California has both high taxes and the highest prices. Looking at only one side gives the wrong answer about which salary is better.
Limits of state averages
Price parities are averages for each state. Big metro areas cost more than the state average (housing is the main difference), and rural areas cost less. Use this as a starting point, then compare rent for the exact city you are moving to. For the tax side alone, including New York City tax, use our relocation salary calculator.
How this calculator works
It figures your take-home pay in each state with the same 2026 federal, Social Security, Medicare and state tax math as our 51 state paycheck calculators. Then it divides by the state price level (BEA Regional Price Parities, all items, 2024) to get real take-home in U.S. average dollars. The salary shown is the one that gives the same real take-home in the other state. City and county taxes are not included.
FAQ
What is a Regional Price Parity?
An official U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis measure of how expensive a state is compared to the national average of 100. It covers housing, goods and services.
Which state has the highest cost of living?
California (110.7), followed by Hawaii, the District of Columbia and New Jersey, in the 2024 data released in 2026.
Which state is cheapest?
Arkansas (86.9), followed by Mississippi, Iowa and Oklahoma.
Is $100,000 in California the same as in Texas?
No. After lower taxes and lower prices, you need much less in Texas for the same lifestyle. Enter it above to see the exact number.
Rules and rates last checked: October 2026. This is an estimate for general information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check IRS.gov or a tax professional before you file.