Job Relocation Calculator
Is Moving for This Job Worth It?
Compare the offer against your current pay after cost of living, housing, and moving costs — in both purchasing power and cash flow.
Free · No signup · Private · Instant results
The move
Purchasing power
Cash flow
At this rate the moving cost pays back in about 9.2 months.
Estimates are based on the information you provide and are intended for comparison purposes only. Results do not include income taxes and do not guarantee actual compensation. This tool is not financial advice.
How it works
- 1
Enter both salaries
Your current pay and the relocation offer.
- 2
Add cost of living & housing
A cost-of-living index for each city and your monthly housing in both.
- 3
See the verdict
Real purchasing power, ongoing cash flow, and when the moving cost pays back.
Purchasing power vs cash flow
A relocation offer has two questions hiding in it. First: does the new salary actually buy more once the destination's prices are accounted for? That's purchasing power, and it uses a cost-of-living index where 100 is the US average. A $120,000 salary in a city at index 150 has the buying power of $80,000 in an average-cost city.
Second: what happens to your monthly budget? That's cash flow — the nominal salary change minus the change in housing and other costs, minus the one-time cost of moving in year one.
Where to find a cost-of-living index
Free comparison tools from BestPlaces, NerdWallet, and Numbeo will give you an index or a percentage difference between two cities. Enter the current city and the destination on the same scale. If a tool gives you “City B is 22% more expensive,” use 100 and 122.
Frequently asked questions
Is relocating for a higher salary worth it?
It depends on the cost-of-living gap and your housing change. A 20% raise into a city that's 30% more expensive is a pay cut in real terms. Enter both cities' cost indexes and your housing numbers to see the real and cash-flow impact.
How do I compare cost of living between two cities?
Use a cost-of-living index where 100 is the national average. Divide the new salary by (new index ÷ current index) to express it in your current city's purchasing power.
What counts as a moving cost?
Movers or a truck rental, travel, deposits, temporary housing, and any lease-break or closing costs. It's a one-time hit, so it only affects the first-year total.
Does this include state income tax differences?
Not directly. If you're moving between states with very different income taxes, fold the annual difference into the 'other monthly cost change' field.
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