Budget calculator

Budget Calculator

Create an editable monthly budget from city rent, utilities, groceries, household size, income, everyday bills, savings, and basic investing.

Cities657
Expense lines17
Income matchesLive
InvestingIncluded

Budget inputs

Build Your Monthly Plan

Editable expenses

Monthly Budget Lines

Edit any line item. The city match list recalculates against your income and household size.

ExpenseMonthly amountWhat it covers
Housing or rentStarts with the city median rent row.
UtilitiesStarts with the city utilities estimate.
GroceriesUses household size and the city grocery index.
Estimated taxes and payrollStarter line for federal, state, payroll, and benefit withholding.
TransportationFuel, transit, maintenance, rides, or parking.
Health and medicalPremiums, copays, prescriptions, and routine care.
PhoneMobile service for household members.
InternetHome broadband or fixed wireless service.
InsuranceAuto, renters, homeowners, or other policies.
Debt paymentsStudent loans, credit cards, personal loans, or other debt.
Childcare or dependentsChildcare, eldercare, school, or dependent support.
SubscriptionsStreaming, software, memberships, and recurring apps.
Emergency savingsStarter line for cash reserves.
Basic investingStarter line for retirement or brokerage contributions.
Personal and clothingClothing, haircuts, household items, and personal care.
EntertainmentRestaurants, hobbies, events, and fun money.
MiscellaneousA buffer for expenses that do not fit neatly elsewhere.
Total monthly expenses$3,121$69 remains after these budget lines.

Income-fit cities

Best Matches For This Budget

Matches swap in each city’s housing, utilities, and grocery defaults while keeping your other edited expenses.

CityEstimated leftoverSalary benchmarkMove scoreFit
Anniston, ALCurrent city+$69$38,28093/100Income fits
Davenport, IA+$56$38,08092/100Income fits
Aberdeen, SD+$68$37,60089/100Income fits
Waterloo, IA+$93$36,60094/100Income fits
Elkins, WV+$123$36,12093/100Income fits
St. Joseph, MO+$110$35,92093/100Income fits
Huron, SD+$120$35,52093/100Income fits
Wheeling, WV+$141$35,40093/100Income fits

How to use it

Start With City Costs, Then Make It Yours

Choose a city, enter household income and household size, then edit any monthly line item. Housing, utilities, and groceries start from city-level LifeAtlas metrics where available, while the rest of the budget uses practical default amounts.

Best-match cities compare your same income and edited non-city expenses against each city’s rent, utilities, and grocery defaults.