I have used a lot of tools to help me when I moved to a new city to determine the Cost of Living (COL) and to help me negotiate a job offer. These are a list of different websites that have reliable statistics based on different parameters. I wish one of the smartphone app developers to use these websites (with permission of course !) and integrate with the awesome Hipmunk UI. What an app would it be !!!
Even Indeed or other job portals should link to these statistics and I am sure the job applicant will be happy to visit one site, apply for jobs, and (if the applicant interviews somewhere) he/she can quickly check the COL expenses and see if the new job site is more or less expensive than where he/she is staying now.
(Assumption: these websites are helpful if you have been selected for an on-site interview)
1. Glassdoor: Excellent website to check the interview process, sample questions asked and the average salary for specific position.
2. COL comparison: This website helps you compare what salary to expect at your new job based on your current compensation and how it should influence your decision while negotiating a job offer.
3. Paycheck comparison: This website helps you determine how much your paycheck will amount to after taxes. Very useful in determining your mortgage/loan payments. (The link opens Arizona state by default. Use the drop-down field to change state)
I hope these links are useful :)