How to compare two cities without misleading yourself

Hold the scenario constant

Choose the same household, number of bedrooms, lease length and broad living pattern in both places. If one city means sharing a flat and the other means renting alone, make that a deliberate lifestyle change rather than calling the difference a pure city-price effect.

Start with recurring costs. If you also compare income, distinguish gross from net income and check whether the tax calculation supports your circumstances. Do not subtract living costs from gross pay and describe the remainder as spendable money.

Try an alternative

Run a second planning case with a different credible rent or commute. This is a sensitivity check: it shows how much the decision depends on one assumption. A conclusion that changes with a modest rent difference deserves more housing research before you commit.

Keep the source and date of each alternative. Do not choose whichever estimate makes your preferred destination win, and do not label an optimistic assumption as a verified price.

Finish with the cash needed to move

Monthly savings do not pay the deposit before arrival. Review one-off costs, refundable cash and the timing of income separately. Also note non-price needs such as access to work, schools or healthcare; a cost calculator does not decide whether the move is suitable for you.

Sources and further reading

• Lifovra — How it works