Cost of Living: What to Know Before Moving for a Job

March 14, 2026 · 5 min read

A $90,000 salary in San Francisco has the same purchasing power as $50,000 in Memphis. Before accepting an out-of-state job offer, run the numbers with our Cost of Living Calculator.

What Drives Cost Differences

Housing is the biggest factor (30-40% of budget). A 2-bedroom apartment in NYC costs $3,500/month vs $1,200 in Dallas. Calculate what you can afford with our Home Affordability Calculator.

Don't Forget Taxes

State income tax varies from 0% (TX, FL, WA, NV) to 13.3% (CA). On a $90K salary, that's a $0-12,000 difference. Check with our Income Tax Estimator. See your actual take-home with our Paycheck Calculator.

The Full Salary Comparison

Convert job offers to equivalent purchasing power, then compare take-home pay using our Salary Calculator. A lower-sounding salary in a cheaper city often buys a better lifestyle.