Cost of Living Calculator by ZIP code 2026

Why you can trust Insure.com

Quality Verified

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

Our cost of living calculator by ZIP code shows how much housing, utilities and other basic living expenses cost in different U.S. cities in 2026.

Where you live has a big impact on your wallet. The cost of living in a city directly impacts what you’ll pay for everyday expenses like meals and utilities, as well as big-ticket items like housing and homeowners insurance. And since prices can vary widely across the U.S., where you live plays a major role in how far your money goes.

For example, the cost of living in New York City is 175% more expensive than the cost of living in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Meanwhile, living in San Diego will cost almost 39% less than living in the Big Apple.

Use the calculator below to figure out the cost of living in any U.S. city.

Moving From

Please enter valid zip

Moving To

Please enter valid zip

Current income after-tax

Please enter salary Value must be less than 10 digit

Data updated on: Q2 2025

$31,500

Cost of living in Boise City, ID, after-tax

Cost of Living

37% lower

in Boise City, ID, than New York (Brooklyn) City, NY

Auto Insurance

46% lower

in Boise City, ID, than New York (Brooklyn) City, NY

Home Insurance

33% lower

in Boise City, ID, than New York (Brooklyn) City, NY

Compare cost of living: Boise City, ID, vs New York (Brooklyn) City, NY

Cost in
Boise City, ID

------- vs -------

Cost in
New York (Brooklyn) City, NY

Housing

-63%

Groceries

-11%

Utilities

-38%

Transportation

-3%

Healthcare

-18%

Misc. Goods & Services

-5%

Auto Insurance

-46%

Home Insurance

-33%

Auto Insurance

New York (Brooklyn) City, NY: $2,453
Boise City, ID: $1,321
% Change: 46% lower

Home Insurance

New York (Brooklyn) City, NY: $2,694
Boise City, ID:
$1,809
% Change: 33% lower

Get this report NOW!

Email sent successfully. Unable to send the email.

L O A D I N G

How to use cost of living comparison calculator

To use the tool, enter the Zip code to get the most accurate result. Cities can have multiple Zip codes, so by entering the city name, you'll get the average for all Zip codes in that city. We may not have cost-of-living data for some non-metropolitan areas. In those cases, we provide the cost-of-living information for the nearest Zip code with available information.

The cost of living index lets you compare one area’s costs with another.
Enter where you live and the information about another community. Provide your income and calculate the cost of living.
Our tool shows what you’ll need to earn to maintain the same standard of living. The tool also highlights the cost differences for each category: housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, auto insurance, and home insurance.
The cost of living tool additionally includes how much you’d save on home and auto insurance.
Enter your information below and compare the cost of living between two places.

Methodology

To compare the cost of living index in various places, Insure.com uses data from the Center for Regional Competitiveness, a management organization that oversees the Council for Community and Economic Research. The data tracks regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, allowing Insure.com to evaluate factors such as housing, groceries, transportation, utilities and healthcare.

What is the cost of living?

The cost of living is the amount of money required to live in a specific area while maintaining a certain standard of living. It includes everyday expenses such as housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, health care and insurance. Because prices for these essentials vary widely by location, the cost of living helps explain why the same income can stretch further in some cities than in others.

How does cost of living vary by state?

Your cost of living can vary significantly depending on where you live, with differences in housing, transportation, healthcare, and taxes all playing a role. Some states are notoriously expensive, while others offer a much lower cost of living and more affordable day-to-day expenses. Whether you’re planning a move or simply want to understand how your location stacks up, our guide to the cost of living in each state can help you compare affordability and make informed decisions.

Compares cities across the U.S. to find which ones are most expensive and least expensive.

Map showing the most and least expensive U.S. cities

Graph

Table

States	Least Expensive City	Most Expensive City
Alabama	Anniston City, AL	Auburn City, AL
Alaska	Fairbanks City, AK	Juneau City, AK
Arizona	Bullhead City, AZ	Prescott City, AZ
Arkansas	Jonesboro City, AR	Fayetteville City, AR
California	Modesto City, CA	San Jose City, CA
Colorado	Pueblo City, CO	Denver City, CO
Connecticut	Hartford City, CT	Stamford City, CT
Delaware	Kent County, DE	New Castle County, DE
District of Columbia	Washington City,	Washington City,
Florida	Ocala City, FL	Fort Lauderdale City, FL
Georgia	Statesboro City, GA	Athens City, GA
Hawaii	Honolulu City, HI	Honolulu City, HI
Idaho	Twin Falls City, ID	Boise City, ID
Illinois	Decatur City, IL	Chicago City, IL
Indiana	Richmond City, IN	Bloomington City, IN
Iowa	Des Moines City, IA	Ames City, IA
Kansas	Pittsburg City, KS	Overland Park City, KS
Kentucky	Louisville City, KY	Lexington City, KY
Louisiana	Lafayette City, LA	New Orleans City, LA
Maine	Portland City, ME	Portland City, ME
Maryland	Baltimore City, MD	Bethesda City, MD
Massachusetts	Framingham City, MA	Boston City, MA
Michigan	Benton Harbor City, MI	Grand Rapids City, MI
Minnesota	Minneapolis City, MN	St. Cloud City, MN
Mississippi	Tupelo City, MS	Jackson City, MS
Missouri	Joplin City, MO	Springfield City, MO
Montana	Great Falls City, MT	Bozeman City, MT
Nebraska	Omaha City, NE	Lincoln City, NE
Nevada	Las Vegas City, NV	Reno City, NV
New Hampshire	Manchester City, NH	Manchester City, NH
New Jersey	Morristown City, NJ	Bergen County, NJ
New Mexico	Las Cruces City, NM	Albuquerque City, NM
New York	Herkimer County, NY	New York (Manhattan) City, NY
North Carolina	Winston-Salem City, NC	Asheville City, NC
North Dakota	Bismarck City, ND	Fargo City, ND
Ohio	Ashland City, OH	Toledo City, OH
Oklahoma	Oklahoma City, OK	Edmond City, OK
Oregon	Eugene City, OR	Portland City, OR
Pennsylvania	Wilkes-Barre City, PA	Philadelphia City, PA
Rhode Island	Providence City, RI	Providence City, RI
South Carolina	Augusta City, SC	Hilton Head Island City, SC
South Dakota	Sioux Falls City, SD	Rapid City, SD
Tennessee	Knoxville City, TN	Nashville City, TN
Texas	Harlingen City, TX	Plano City, TX
Utah	Cedar City, UT	St. George City, UT
Vermont	Burlington City, VT	Burlington City, VT
Virginia	Danville City, VA	Arlington City, VA
Washington	Kennewick City, WA	Seattle City, WA
West Virginia	Charleston City, WV	Morgantown City, WV
Wisconsin	Green Bay City, WI	Madison City, WI
Wyoming	Casper City, WY	Cheyenne City, WY

Select state

Below national average

Equals national average

Above national average

Where is the cost of living highest — and lowest — in America’s biggest states?

When it comes to cost of living, where you live matters — especially in the most populated states. These states are home to a wide range of cities with vastly different living expenses, from affordable suburbs to high-cost metro areas.

Below, we look at the most and least expensive cities in the 10 most populated states to get a clearer picture of how far your money really goes depending on where you live. For example, in California, Bakersfield City is the cheapest place to live, while San Jose City ranks as the most expensive.

State	Least expensive cities	Most expensive cities
California	Bakersfield City	San Jose City
Florida	Jacksonville City	Fort Lauderdale City
Georgia	Augusta City	Athens City
Illinois	Decatur City	Chicago City
Michigan	Benton Harbor City	Detroit City
New York	Herkimer County	New York (Manhattan) City
North Carolina	Salisbury City	Chapel Hill City
Ohio	Lima City	Toledo City
Pennsylvania	Scranton City	Philadelphia City
Texas	Harlingen City	Plano City

What are the highest and lowest cost of living areas in the U.S.?

Manhattan, Honolulu and San Jose rank among the most expensive places to live in the U.S., while cities like Decatur, Richmond and Harlingen represent some of the lowest-cost areas.

Highest cost areas

Lowest cost areas

New York (Manhattan) NY
San Jose CA
Honolulu HI
New York (Brooklyn) NY
Orange County CA
San Francisco CA
New York (Queens) NY
Los Angeles-Long Beach CA
Nassau County NY
Boston MA

Tupelo MS
Harlingen TX
Decatur IL
McAllen TX
Richmond IN
Oklahoma City OK
Ashland OH
Amarillo TX
Pittsburg KS
Salina KS

Why does the cost of living matter for your financial goals?

Cost of living matters because it shapes how far your income really goes day to day and over time. Even with the same salary, living in a more expensive city can limit your purchasing power, while a lower-cost area can give you more breathing room to save, spend, and plan ahead.

It’s not just a number — it shows up in your everyday life and financial choices. Cost of living becomes especially important when you are:

Relocating to a new city and trying to understand what you can afford
Switching jobs and comparing your salary against local expenses
Looking for ways to stretch your income further
Planning major financial decisions like buying a home, starting a family, or saving for retirement

A lower cost of living can ease financial pressure and open up more lifestyle options, while higher costs may mean adjusting your budget or asking for a higher salary. A cost of living calculator gives you a clearer picture of expenses like housing, utilities, and insurance so you can plan with confidence.

Cost of living affects more than just big expenses

Everyday costs like groceries, transportation, and utilities add up quickly and can quietly impact your long-term financial goals. A $50 weekly grocery difference between two cities adds up to $2,600 per year — money that could otherwise go toward retirement, savings, or paying off debt. When comparing cities, look at the small recurring expenses, not just rent and mortgage.

How does cost of living affect insurance rates?

Insurance rates closely track cost of living because higher local labor, repair, and medical costs translate to higher claim payouts — which insurers pass on through premiums. A neighborhood with frequent car break-ins, severe weather, or expensive medical care will see higher auto and home insurance premiums than a low-risk, low-cost area, even for the same coverage levels.

Specific ways cost of living affects your insurance:

Higher repair costs in expensive metros mean larger collision and home repair claims
Higher medical costs drive up bodily injury claims and health-related insurance lines
Higher property values mean more dwelling coverage is needed for home insurance
Denser populations in expensive cities typically come with higher accident and claim rates

Because of this, moving to a higher-cost area almost always means higher insurance premiums — and shopping aggressively becomes essential to keep costs in check.

How to shop for auto and home insurance after a move

To shop for auto and home insurance, compare quotes from at least three insurers, review coverage options carefully, and look for available discounts. You should shop for auto insurance every year at renewal and review home insurance every two to three years, or sooner if your circumstances change.

Shopping regularly helps ensure you aren’t overpaying as rates and risk factors change over time. It’s especially important to compare quotes when you experience major life events, such as:

Moving to a new location
Getting married or divorced
Buying a car
Buying a home
Having an accident or traffic violation
Experiencing a significant change in your credit score
Adding or removing drivers from your policy

Insurance companies use different methods to calculate rates, which is why prices can vary widely for the same coverage. Take the time to compare policies side by side, ask about discounts, and research each company’s reputation before making a decision.

Shop around for the best rate

Staying with the same insurer for years can sometimes lead to higher rates due to a practice called “price optimization,” where insurers gradually raise rates on customers they think won’t shop around. Comparing quotes every renewal period helps ensure you’re still getting the best deal — and gives you leverage to negotiate with your current insurer if you’d rather not switch.

What major factors should you consider before relocating?

When deciding whether to relocate, look beyond cost of living and evaluate factors like job opportunities, housing, safety, and overall quality of life. While affordability matters, your daily experience, career growth, and long-term goals should guide your decision.

Here are the key factors to consider before making a move:

Job opportunities and transfers. Your employer may require relocation, or a new role may offer better career growth
Schools. Access to quality education can influence both lifestyle and housing costs
Safety. Safer neighborhoods often come with higher home prices but better quality of life
Traffic and commute. Long or stressful commutes can impact your daily routine and well-being
Lifestyle and social scene. Entertainment, dining, and cultural options can enhance your experience but may increase expenses
Weather and climate. A more comfortable climate can improve overall satisfaction beyond financial factors
Pace of life. Whether you prefer a fast-moving city or a quieter environment can shape your decision
Walkability. Easy access to shops, work, and amenities can improve convenience and reduce transportation costs
Child care options. Availability, cost, and quality of childcare can be a major consideration for families
Health care access. Proximity to quality hospitals and doctors is important for both cost and peace of mind

Relocating isn’t just a financial decision. Taking the time to evaluate these factors can help you choose a place that fits both your budget and your lifestyle.

Visit before you move if possible

Spending a few days in a new city can help you understand traffic, neighborhoods, and daily life in ways research can’t. Try to time your visit to mirror your typical week — including the morning commute, a grocery run, and a weekend evening — so you get a realistic sense of pace, costs, and convenience. Many people who relocate based purely on cost data end up regretting the move because the lifestyle didn’t match expectations.

How we keep our cost of living data accurate

We use data from the Center for Regional Competitiveness, the management organization that oversees the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), to compare cost of living across locations. The data tracks regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, allowing Insure.com to evaluate factors like housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

We update our cost of living calculator every quarter to ensure the information you see is current and reliable. Our data analyst team reviews the latest figures from C2ER, a trusted source that collects cost data from cities and states nationwide, helping us provide accurate, up-to-date insights into how expenses vary by location.

Frequently asked questions

Why is cost of living an important factor to consider when you move?

Cost of living is important to keep in mind before moving to a new city because it determines if you can maintain your standard of living. You may live comfortably in a small town, but that same salary may not go as far in high-cost areas like Manhattan, San Francisco, or Honolulu.

How does cost of living affect the cost of insurance?

Insurance companies base premiums on risk. An area’s claims history, economics, and social factors play a role in insurance costs. For instance, a neighborhood with many car break-ins has higher rates. Additionally, a person who owns a home along the coast that regularly gets pounded by devastating storms will pay higher premiums.

Why is shopping for insurance important when you move to high-cost area?

You don’t have any control over many aspects of the costs of living. You do have some influence on insurance costs though. By shopping around for auto and home insurance, you can find policies that make sense for you at the lowest costs.

How much could you save? Our research shows you can cut your auto and home insurance costs by hundreds.

You can save by shopping around, comparing quotes, limiting your claims, and making sure you’re getting the auto insurance discounts that you deserve.

How does cost of living affect savings and investments?

Cost of living shouldn’t have a direct effect on savings and investments. That said, if you’re spending more on your house, gas, insurance, and groceries, there is less to invest and save. No matter where you live, make sure you’re putting enough away for emergencies and your retirement.

When should you move to a higher cost of living area?

Moving to a higher-cost area makes sense when the benefits — like better pay, career opportunities, or quality of life — clearly outweigh the higher expenses. Consider the move if your salary increase covers the higher costs, you can comfortably afford housing, and you’re willing to adjust your spending if needed.

When should you move to a lower cost of living area?

A lower cost of living lets you stretch your dollar further — but may also mean a lower salary. Remember that a $75,000 salary in a high-cost area might not go as far as a $60,000 salary in a low-cost area. If you find you have more leftover money, invest or save at least some of it.

What should you do when you move to a lower cost of living area?

How do you calculate cost of living increase?

Our cost of living calculator uses C2ER COL Index data to compare individual and overall cost of living between regions. When comparing two ZIP codes, look at each cost category — housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, auto insurance, home insurance, and miscellaneous — and weight housing most heavily, since it’s typically the largest expense.

Why do a cost of living comparison?

A cost of living comparison shows whether you could maintain the same lifestyle in a new city. If you’re moving out of state, there’s a good chance you’ll see a significant enough difference to affect your finances. The data also gives you ammunition for negotiating a higher salary with your current or future employer.

Can I afford to move to a new city?

You can afford to move if your income covers the higher costs without significantly lowering your standard of living. Start by comparing expenses — a small gap may be manageable, while a larger one may require budget changes or salary negotiation. Before deciding, also weigh lifestyle, safety, and job opportunities for a well-rounded decision.

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is the editor-in-chief of Insure.com and a licensed life, health and disability insurance agent in New York with seven years of experience covering insurance. Her expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Balance, The Financial Gym and MSN. She holds a BA in Economics from The Ohio State University.

On this page

Methodology
What is the cost of living?
How does cost of living vary by state?
Map showing the most and least expensive U.S. cities
Where is the cost of living highest — and lowest — in America’s biggest states?
Why does the cost of living matter for your financial goals?
How does cost of living affect insurance rates?
How to shop for auto and home insurance after a move
What major factors should you consider before relocating?
How we keep our cost of living data accurate
Frequently asked questions

Cost of living calculator