The practical framework
Food costs vary by store access, household diet, dining habits, and time. Compare your actual grocery basket and your likely dining-out pattern, not only a generic food index.
Utilities depend on climate, housing type, insulation, electricity rates, water costs, and whether trash, pest control, or internet are included. Ask landlords or local residents for realistic seasonal bills.
Healthcare costs depend on networks, premiums, deductibles, prescriptions, and provider availability. A city with lower rent is not cheaper if your doctors are out of network or specialist access becomes difficult.
What to do next
Run your numbers through the tools, then replace assumptions with quotes. The goal is not to predict every dollar perfectly; it is to find the expensive surprises before they become commitments.