Comparing city totals with missing categories

Make a category matrix

Put the two cities in columns and each needed expense in a row. Mark a usable value, an estimate or a missing value for every cell. Check that categories mean the same thing: a utility bundle that includes internet cannot be compared directly with electricity alone. Missing means unknown, not a price of zero.

Compare only the matched part first

Illustration: City A has 1,200 of rent and groceries plus 100 transport; City B has 1,100 of rent and groceries but transport is missing. The matched subtotal differs by 100, while the full-budget difference remains unresolved. Do not compare 1,300 with 1,100 and claim a complete 200 saving. The example demonstrates coverage, not actual city costs.

Show what could change the conclusion

List unmatched categories next to the result and obtain a suitable quote for important gaps. If you add an explicit planning estimate, preserve its status rather than making the missing evidence disappear. Check inclusion boundaries to prevent duplicate bills. A matched subtotal can guide the next research step, but cannot establish total affordability when major personal expenses remain outside it.

Sources and further reading

• Lifovra — methodology and limitations