> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.north.cloud/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.north.cloud/docs/features/visibility/compare-costs.md).

# Compare costs

Learn how to compare your cloud spend across two date ranges with Compare.

Compare shows your spend from two date ranges side by side, so you can see what grew, what shrank, and by how much. Use it for month-over-month or year-over-year reviews, and to find the cause of a change in your bill.

To open Compare, select **Analyze** in the top navigation, then select **Compare**. For how splits, filters, and Sync work across all three tabs, see [Visibility](/docs/features/visibility.md).

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## Setting the Two Date Ranges

Compare has two sides, each with its own date range and total:

* **Base State.** The period you want to examine, such as month-to-date.
* **Compared State.** The period you compare it against. Choose a range relative to the base state, such as **Previous Period** or **Same Period Last Year**, or pick a custom range.

Use a preset for a common comparison. Open **Filters** and expand **Presets** to choose one, such as **MTD vs Last Month** or **Last 30 Days vs Previous 30 Days**.

## Splitting and Filtering a Comparison

Your splits, and the filters in the **Filters** drawer, apply to both sides of the comparison. To filter only one side, use the **Filter** menu next to that side's date range.

## Choosing a Graph

Use **Graph** to show the two periods side by side, overlaid in one chart, or as the variance between them. **Variance** is available only when the two date ranges have the same length.

Granularity and Cost apply to both sides.

## Reading the Results

The cards under the Compare charts show which costs changed between the two periods. Each entry is one series from the chart above.

* **Top Growing Costs.** The costs that grew the most.
* **Top Decreasing Costs.** The costs that fell the most.
* **Top Cost Center.** The cost with the highest average spend across both periods.


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