About PlainCost
PlainCost makes cost of living data transparent and accessible for everyone. Compare real costs across metros and states using official government data.
Data Source
All data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities (RPP). RPPs measure the differences in price levels across states and metropolitan areas for a given year and are expressed as a percentage of the overall national price level (100 = national average).
What Are Regional Price Parities?
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) measure how much prices differ across regions compared to the national average. An RPP of 110 means prices are 10% above the national average; an RPP of 90 means 10% below.
Categories
- All Items — Overall cost of living index
- Goods — Food, clothing, transportation, electronics
- Services — Healthcare, education, utilities (excluding rents)
- Rents — Housing rental costs
Coverage
- 384 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)
- 51 states and territories
- Historical data from 2008 to present
- 4 price categories per geography
Salary Equivalent Calculator
Our calculator uses RPP indices to compute salary equivalents. If you earn $X in City A (RPP=A), the equivalent salary in City B (RPP=B) is: $X × (B/A). This provides a reasonable estimate, though individual costs vary.
Important Notes
- RPPs are annual averages — individual costs may vary seasonally
- RPPs compare price levels, not cost of living (which also includes income)
- PlainCost is not affiliated with the Bureau of Economic Analysis
Contact
Questions or feedback? Reach us at hello@plaincost.com.