Why I Built Cost Living Explorer

Hey there! I'm Alexander, and I built this site because I made some expensive mistakes when I was relocating for work. I figured if I was struggling with this, other people probably were too.

My Expensive Mistake

A couple years ago, I got what seemed like an amazing job offer in a new city. The salary bump looked incredible on paper - about 40% more than I was making. I was so excited that I accepted without really digging into what life would actually cost there.

Reality hit hard. My rent doubled. Groceries were way more expensive. Even going out for a beer cost twice what I was used to. That "amazing" raise? It barely covered the increased costs, and I was actually worse off financially than before.

I tried using existing cost of living calculators, but they were either behind paywalls, gave wildly different answers, or were just plain confusing. I needed something better, so I decided to build it myself.

What I'm Trying to Do Here

My goal is simple: help you avoid the same costly mistakes I made. I want to give you the real numbers you need to make smart decisions about where to live and work.

This isn't some corporate venture - it's just me, working nights and weekends to build something useful. I keep it free because I believe this kind of information shouldn't be locked behind paywalls when it can literally save people thousands of dollars.

Cost Living Explorer is operated by Infinite Grow Ventures LLC, but at its core, this is a personal project born from my own frustrating experiences. I built this because I needed it myself, and I keep improving it because I know how much it can help people make better life decisions. Every feature you see here came from either my own needs when I was relocating or from feedback from users who reached out with their stories.

How I Keep Things Accurate

I pull data from Numbeo.com (the world's largest cost of living database), government sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, real estate sites, and other public databases. I'm constantly updating the numbers because cost of living changes fast, especially in today's economy.

Is it perfect? Probably not. But I'm always working to make it better. If you spot something that seems off, please let me know - I actually read and respond to every message.

What's Next

I'm always adding new features and cities. Some things I'm working on:

• More detailed neighborhood-level data for major cities
• Better visualizations to make comparisons easier
• Adding more cities (especially international ones)

If there's something specific you'd like to see, just reach out. I build this for real people with real problems, so your feedback actually shapes what I work on next.

Help Spread the Word

If this tool helps you out, the best way to support it is by sharing it with anyone else who might need it. Word of mouth is how people find out about sites like this.

Also, if you spot any errors or have ideas for improvements, drop me a line through the contact page. I'm always looking to make this better.

Thanks for using Cost Living Explorer. I hope it saves you from making the same expensive mistakes I did!

Why You Can Trust This Site

I understand that trusting financial tools online can be tricky. Here's what sets Cost Living Explorer apart and why you can rely on the information here:

• Transparent methodology: I explain exactly where data comes from and how calculations work. No black boxes.
• Regular updates: Cost of living data is refreshed quarterly to reflect current economic conditions.
• Multiple data sources: I cross-reference information from Numbeo, government agencies, and real estate databases to ensure accuracy.
• Real person behind it: This is not an anonymous website. I am Alexander, a real person who built this tool and responds to every email.
• No hidden agenda: I make this site free and accessible because I believe in its mission, not because I am trying to sell you something.
• Continuous improvement: User feedback directly shapes what I work on. If something is wrong or could be better, I want to know and I will fix it.

Cost Living Explorer has helped thousands of people make smarter relocation decisions, negotiate better salaries, and understand their financial options. Whether you are moving across the country or across the world, I hope this tool gives you the confidence to make the right choice for your situation.

Editorial Standards & Corrections

Accuracy is fundamental to Cost Living Explorer's mission. All content undergoes thorough research and fact-checking before publication. Our data comes from reputable sources including government statistics, Numbeo's crowd-sourced database, and verified real estate platforms.

Our Commitment to Accuracy:

• Data Updates: Cost of living data is refreshed quarterly (January, April, July, October) to reflect current market conditions
• Source Verification: All statistics are cross-referenced against multiple authoritative sources
• Correction Policy: Errors are corrected promptly when identified. Material corrections are noted at the bottom of affected articles
• User Feedback: We actively encourage readers to report inaccuracies through our contact page
• Transparency: Methodology and data sources are clearly explained throughout the site

If you identify an error or outdated information, please report it immediately. We review all submissions and implement corrections within 2-5 business days. Significant updates are documented with revision dates.

Contact & Support

Have questions or feedback? I'd love to hear from you! Reach out through the contact page, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Your input helps make this tool better for everyone.