Cost of Living Comparison
How location affects your FIRE number · Updated 2026
How Location Affects Your FIRE Number
Geoarbitrage — moving to a lower cost-of-living area — is one of the most powerful FIRE tools available. It works on both sides of the equation: your expenses drop, which lowers your FIRE number, AND your savings rate increases while you're still working.
Moving from San Francisco ($60K/year expenses) to Kansas City ($35K/year) reduces your FIRE number from $1,500,000 to $875,000 — freeing up $625,000 in required savings. This can easily shave 5-10 years off your FI timeline.
| City | Annual Expenses | FIRE Number | Years to FI (30% SR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $60,000 | $1,500,000 | 37 years |
| Austin, TX | $42,000 | $1,050,000 | 28 years |
| Kansas City, MO | $35,000 | $875,000 | 22 years |
| International (Mexico) | $24,000 | $600,000 | 15 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is cost of living comparison calculated?
The formula is: Compare FIRE numbers for two locations. Enter your values above and click Calculate to see your personalized result instantly. Geoarbitrage is one of the most powerful FIRE accelerators. Moving from a city where you spend $40,000/year to one where you spend $30,000/year reduces your FIRE number from $1,000,000 to $750,000 —…
What inputs do I need for the cost of living comparison?
You need: City 1 Expenses, City 2 Expenses, Withdrawal Rate. Default values are pre-filled — adjust them to match your personal finances for a customized result.
Is the cost of living comparison free to use?
Yes — all TorchFI calculators are completely free. No registration, no email required. Calculations run entirely in your browser for maximum privacy. We never see or store your financial data.
How does the cost of living comparison help with FIRE planning?
Compare the FIRE number required in two different cities or regions. See how moving to a lower cost of living area can dramatically reduce your time to financial independence. This calculator helps you make data-driven decisions about your financial independence journey instead of relying on guesswork.