How to Negotiate a Relocation Package
Everything you should ask for when your employer wants you to move — from moving costs to temporary housing.
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Guide
Compare the true cost of living between cities. See exactly how much salary you'll need to maintain your lifestyle after the move.
A $75,000 salary in San Francisco is equivalent to roughly $42,000 in San Antonio when adjusted for cost of living. Housing alone can be 3x more expensive on the coasts.
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See how major US cities stack up against the national average cost of living index.
The cost of living index measures relative price levels. A score of 100 represents the national average. Cities above 100 are more expensive; those below are more affordable.
Expert tips, city profiles, and financial advice for your next move.
Everything you should ask for when your employer wants you to move — from moving costs to temporary housing.
A week-by-week timeline to keep your move organized, from 8 weeks out to moving day.
Deposits, utility setup fees, parking permits, and other surprise expenses that blow up your budget.
No state income tax, booming tech scene, and BBQ. But is the hype worth the rising housing prices?
We break down whether the Mile High City still offers value compared to coastal alternatives.
How the shift to remote work reshaped cost-of-living dynamics across the United States.
Helping people make smarter relocation decisions with accurate, transparent data.
MoveSmart was built to solve a simple problem: moving to a new city is stressful, and understanding how far your salary will stretch shouldn't require a spreadsheet and five hours of research.
We aggregate cost-of-living data across housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes to give you a clear, instant comparison. No paywalls, no sign-ups — just the information you need to make a confident decision.
MoveSmart is an independent project run by a small team of data enthusiasts and former relocators who were tired of guessing whether a job offer in a new city was actually a good deal. We've lived in six cities between us and learned the hard way that salary numbers don't tell the whole story.
Our goal is to make relocation planning transparent, accessible, and stress-free. Whether you're moving for a new job, family, or just a change of scenery, we want you to land on your feet — financially and otherwise.
Our indices are compiled from multiple public and private datasets including:
We update our figures quarterly to reflect market changes. While we strive for accuracy, all data is provided for informational and illustrative purposes only. We recommend consulting local real estate listings and tax professionals before making final decisions.
Questions, feedback, or city suggestions? We'd love to hear from you.
hello@movesmart.com
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