ReloMath
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What salary do I need when I move?

This is the central question of any relocation decision, and the math is simpler than most resources suggest. The key is using the right price-level index — not median rent, not salary surveys.

Last updated June 2026

The correct formula

The equivalent salary formula uses Regional Price Parities (RPP) from the Bureau of Economic Analysis: 

Equivalent salary = current salary x (destination RPP / origin RPP)

This tells you the income needed in City B to have the same real purchasing power as your current salary in City A.

Worked examples

Example 1: Moving to a more expensive city

You earn $90,000 in Denver (RPP 104) and are considering a job in Boston (RPP 117). 

$90,000 x (117 / 104) = $101,250

You need at least $101,250 in Boston just to break even. A $95,000 offer in Boston is actually a pay cut in real terms.

Example 2: Moving to a cheaper city

You earn $120,000 in Seattle (RPP 113) and are considering Nashville (RPP 92). 

$120,000 x (92 / 113) = $97,700

$97,700 in Nashville gives you the same purchasing power as $120,000 in Seattle. A $100,000 offer in Nashville is actually a slight real-wage increase.

Example 3: No-income-tax adjustment

Moving from California (13.3% top marginal rate) to Texas (0%). If your California salary is $130,000 and you are in the top bracket, your Texas equivalent needs only $113,000 or so in gross wages to achieve the same after-tax income — but you also need to factor in the overall RPP difference between your specific California and Texas metros.

What the formula does not capture

  • Property taxes. If you own a home, property tax rates vary enormously. Texas has high property taxes that partially offset the income-tax advantage.
  • Healthcare costs. Employer-provided health insurance can vary significantly. RPP does capture out-of-pocket medical costs but not premium differences.
  • Childcare. Childcare costs can differ by $500-$2,000 per month between metros and have an outsized impact on family budgets.
  • Commute costs. Car ownership costs, transit passes, and parking are included in RPP, but only at average levels. If you are moving from a transit-friendly city to a car-dependent one, add real commuting costs.

Use the ReloMath calculator to run the equivalent salary formula instantly for any two verified U.S. metros.

Frequently asked questions

Is $100,000 enough to live in San Francisco?

San Francisco has an RPP of approximately 130 (30% above US average). A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city is equivalent to roughly $130,000 in San Francisco. Whether that is enough depends on your lifestyle, but it is below the median household income for the Bay Area.

How much do I need to earn to maintain my lifestyle in Austin if I move from New York?

New York RPP is approximately 123 and Austin is approximately 95. The cost ratio is 95/123 = 0.77. If you earn $150,000 in New York, you need $150,000 x 0.77 = $115,500 in Austin to maintain the same purchasing power.

Does this account for state income tax?

No. The RPP-based equivalent salary accounts for the cost of goods, services, and housing only. If you are moving between states with different income tax rates, you must apply that adjustment separately.

Keep reading

How to compare the cost of living between two cities
Cost-of-living indexes explained: RPP, C2ER, and more
DIY vs. full-service moving: total cost comparison