Question 1

How is the cost of living data calculated?

Accepted Answer

Our cost of living data is compiled from multiple sources including government statistics, user submissions, and market research. Prices are averaged across various neighborhoods and time periods to provide representative figures. All prices are shown in USD for easy comparison.

Question 2

How often is the data updated?

Accepted Answer

We update our data on a monthly basis to reflect current market conditions. Some categories like housing may fluctuate more than others. The 'last updated' date on each city page indicates when the data was last refreshed.

Question 3

Are all prices shown in US dollars?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all prices are converted to and displayed in US dollars (USD) for easy comparison between cities. The conversion is based on current exchange rates at the time of the last data update.

Question 4

What does the Cost Index mean?

Accepted Answer

The Cost Index is a relative indicator where New York City = 100. A city with a Cost Index of 50 is roughly half as expensive as New York, while a city with 120 is 20% more expensive. This provides a quick way to compare overall affordability.

Question 5

Can I compare more than two cities at once?

Accepted Answer

Currently, our tool supports comparing two cities at a time. This allows for a detailed, focused comparison. You can run multiple comparisons to evaluate several cities. We plan to add multi-city comparison in a future update.

Question 6

How accurate is the salary equivalent calculator?

Accepted Answer

The salary equivalent calculator provides an estimate based on the overall cost of living difference between two cities. It does not account for tax differences, industry-specific salary variations, or exchange rate fluctuations. Use it as a general guideline rather than an exact figure.

Question 7

Do the costs include taxes?

Accepted Answer

Prices for goods and services generally include local sales tax/VAT where applicable. Housing costs represent typical market rates. However, income tax rates vary significantly between locations and are not factored into the basic cost comparisons.

Question 8

Which cities are included in the database?

Accepted Answer

We cover 50+ major cities across all continents, including popular destinations for expats, digital nomads, and professionals considering relocation. We're constantly adding new cities based on user demand. Contact us if you'd like to see a specific city added.

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