How to compare job offers across US cities
A job with a bigger salary is not always the job that leaves you with more money. WorthIt? puts both options into a common monthly framework so you can spot the trade-offs before deciding.
1. Enter your two locations and offers
Choose each job’s city, salary or hourly pay, and weekly hours. For hourly jobs, WorthIt? assumes 52 paid weeks, so adjust expectations for unpaid leave, seasonal work or variable shifts.
2. Review the tax estimates
The calculator estimates federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and certain state/local taxes using simplified 2026 assumptions. It is not a payroll or tax-filing service. A displayed amount may differ materially from your actual paycheck, particularly with cross-state work, tax credits, different filing status, or unmodelled municipal taxes.
3. Replace estimated living costs with your own figures
Use a genuine rental listing or housing offer for each city. The site's editable example budgets are not verified city averages. Add transport, groceries, utilities, healthcare and other recurring spending. For locations without an example budget, manually supply the amounts—do not assume zero is a realistic expense.
4. Include benefits and one-time costs
A salary alone misses 401(k) contributions, employer health plan premiums, student loans and moving costs. The model includes selected inputs for these; not all benefits or taxes can be captured. Compare offers with the actual benefits documents alongside the tool.
5. Read the break-even figure
Break-even salary is an estimate of the pay needed in the second location to leave you with roughly the same monthly cash as the first option under the entered assumptions. Treat it as a negotiation or research starting point—not an offer recommendation.