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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Budget for visa and immigration costs. Plan your international move with accurate cost comparisons and financial projections.
Updated June 2025 · 288 U.S. cities · Free forever
On a $85,000 salary in New York, rent consumes 75% of take-home. Consider cheaper neighborhoods or a roommate to get under 30%.
Step-by-step breakdown
Type your annual salary or income. For hourly workers, multiply your hourly rate by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). Include base salary, bonuses, and any regular overtime.
Select from 288 U.S. cities. We'll instantly load that city's cost-of-living index, median rent, state tax rate, and local expense data.
Click calculate and see a complete financial breakdown — highlighted summary, line-by-line cost analysis, a clear verdict, and comparisons across multiple cities.
Scroll down to see how your results compare across America's largest and most affordable cities, with color-coded indicators showing where your money goes furthest.
Use the related calculators below to analyze your finances from every angle — tax breakdowns, rent affordability, moving costs, and more.
Comparing 8 major metropolitan areas
| City | State | Result | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | NY | 75% of take-home | $3,706/mo |
| Los Angeles | CA | 58% of take-home | $2,742/mo |
| Toledo | OH | 21% of take-home | $1,060/mo |
| Sunnyvale | CA | 73% of take-home | $3,478/mo |
| Philadelphia | PA | 33% of take-home | $1,734/mo |
| Austin | TX | 28% of take-home | $1,531/mo |
| Jackson | MS | 25% of take-home | $1,283/mo |
| San Francisco | CA | 81% of take-home | $3,830/mo |
Results based on default inputs. Adjust the calculator above for personalized results.
International moves amplify every financial variable. Currency fluctuations can shift your effective income by 10-20% overnight. Tax treaties between countries may or may not protect you from double taxation. Healthcare costs that were covered by your employer may suddenly fall on you. Visa processing fees, international shipping, and flight costs add thousands to the upfront tab. Getting these numbers right before you commit is critical.
Moving between countries introduces layers of financial complexity that domestic moves simply don't have — currency exchange rates, international tax treaties, visa costs, healthcare system differences, and vastly different cost-of-living baselines all factor into the real cost of living abroad. The Visa Cost Planner on Livably uses real-time data from 288 U.S. cities — including median rents, cost-of-living indices, tax rates, and local expenses — to give you a precise, personalized answer. Budget for visa and immigration costs. Plan your international move with accurate cost comparisons and financial projections. Whether you're planning a move, negotiating a job offer, or simply curious about your financial standing, this free calculator gives you the hard numbers you need in seconds.
Expert insights to maximize your results
Build an emergency fund of 6 months of expenses in your destination currency before moving abroad.
Research tax treaties between your home country and destination to avoid double taxation.
Healthcare costs abroad can be dramatically different — some countries have universal coverage, others require expensive private insurance.
Open a multi-currency bank account before moving to avoid excessive conversion fees.
Factor in visa renewal costs and work permit restrictions when planning long-term abroad.
Transparent, data-driven methodology
Our visa cost planner comparisons use Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) adjustments, current exchange rates, and country-specific tax brackets. Cost-of-living data is sourced from composite indices covering housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, and healthcare. International data covers 373 cities across 5 countries (U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, Sweden). Data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), and verified local sources across 288 U.S. metropolitan areas. All calculations are updated for 2025.
Everything you need to know about this tool
Enter your salary, current city, and target city to see a detailed cost breakdown adjusted for local living costs, taxes, and currency differences.
Livably covers the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and Sweden — with 373 cities across all five countries.
Livably covers 5 countries: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Sweden — totaling 373 cities across all five countries. We plan to expand to additional countries based on user demand.
It depends on tax treaties between your home country and destination. Most developed countries have bilateral tax treaties that prevent double taxation, but you may still need to file returns in both countries. Consult a cross-border tax specialist for your specific situation.
Healthcare is often the biggest surprise. Countries with universal healthcare (UK, Canada, Australia, Sweden) may cover you after establishing residency, but there's often a gap period. Private international health insurance can cost $200-600/month during this window.
Currency exchange rates can swing 5-15% in a year, significantly affecting your real purchasing power. We use current exchange rates, but you should monitor trends and consider hedging strategies (like keeping savings in your earning currency) for large fluctuations.
Yes. Having a local bank account avoids daily exchange fees (typically 2-3% per transaction). Many banks like Wise, Revolut, or traditional local banks offer accounts you can open remotely before your move.
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