Calculator inputs
Use the three-column layout on large screens, two columns on medium screens, and one column on mobile screens.
Example data table
| Example input or output | Sample value |
|---|---|
| Current annual salary | $60,000.00 |
| Offered annual salary | $90,000.00 |
| Current city index | 100.00 |
| Target city index | 128.00 |
| Current tax rate | 20.00% |
| Target tax rate | 22.00% |
| Annual inflation rate | 3.50% |
| Years ahead | 2.00 |
| Current monthly budget total | $3,400.00 |
| Target monthly budget in two years | $5,273.51 |
| Required target gross salary | $95,448.18 |
| Offer gap | -$5,448.18 |
Formula used
1) Overall city ratio
Overall city ratio = Target city index ÷ Current city index
2) Target category cost now
Target category cost now = Current category budget × Overall city ratio × Category factor
3) Inflation factor
Inflation factor = (1 + Inflation rate)Years
4) Future target category cost
Future target category cost = Target category cost now × Inflation factor
5) Weighted city ratio
Weighted city ratio = Sum of target category costs now ÷ Sum of current category budgets
6) Required target net salary
Required target net salary = Current after-tax salary × Weighted city ratio × Inflation factor
7) Required target gross salary
Required target gross salary = Required target net salary ÷ (1 − Target tax rate)
This approach is useful because it blends headline city indexes with your own spending profile. That makes the estimate more realistic than a simple index swap.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your current annual salary and any offered salary.
- Fill in current and target city cost indexes.
- Add current and target tax assumptions.
- Enter inflation and the number of years ahead.
- Input your monthly budget by category.
- Adjust category factors when target costs differ from the city index average.
- Press Calculate adjustment.
- Review the result card, summary table, category table, and Plotly chart.
- Use the CSV and PDF buttons to export the analysis.
FAQs
1) What does this calculator estimate?
It estimates the salary needed to maintain a similar lifestyle when moving cities, changing jobs, or planning a future raise. It considers city indexes, budget categories, inflation, and taxes together.
2) Why use custom category factors?
Overall indexes can hide big differences in rent, healthcare, or transport. Custom factors let you model categories that rise faster or slower than the general city index.
3) What is a city cost index?
A city cost index is a benchmark number that compares average living costs across locations. Higher values usually mean a more expensive place to live.
4) Does the calculator account for taxes?
Yes. It converts current gross income into after-tax income, then estimates the future after-tax amount needed, and finally converts that back to a required target gross salary.
5) How does inflation affect the result?
Inflation increases future target costs over time. A higher inflation rate or longer time horizon raises the monthly target budget and the salary needed to support it.
6) Should I enter yearly or monthly budgets?
Enter monthly budget values for the living-cost categories. The calculator uses those monthly figures to build category weights and future monthly target estimates.
7) Can I compare a job offer with the target need?
Yes. Add the offered salary, and the calculator shows whether it creates a surplus or shortfall versus the modeled target salary requirement.
8) Is this a final compensation decision tool?
No. It is a planning model. You should also consider bonuses, benefits, commuting time, housing availability, currency risk, and personal priorities before making a final decision.