Salary Comparison Calculator
Compare two salaries after tax and cost of living adjustments. See which job gives you more real income.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Cumulative Real Income (with relocation)
Click chart to expand
Income Breakdown
Click chart to expand
Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Gross Salary
- €3,500
- Tax Rate
- 25.0%
- Net Salary
- €2,625
- Annual Living Cost
- €24,000
- Real Income (net - cost)
- -€21,375
- Relocation Cost
- €0
- 5-Year Total
- -€36,927,556,875
- Gross Change
- —
- Real Change
- —
- Gross Salary
- €3,500
- Tax Rate
- 30.0%
- Net Salary
- €2,450
- Annual Living Cost
- €32,000
- Real Income (net - cost)
- -€29,550
- Relocation Cost
- €3,000
- 5-Year Total
- -€51,050,727,750
- Gross Change
- 0.0%
- Real Change
- 0.0%
| Factor | Current Job Best Value | Recommended New Job |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | €3,500 | €3,500 |
| Tax Rate | 25.0% | 30.0% |
| Net Salary | €2,625 | €2,450 |
| Annual Living Cost | €24,000 | €32,000 |
| Real Income (net - cost) | -€21,375 | -€29,550 |
| Relocation Cost | €0 | €3,000 |
| 5-Year Total | -€36,927,556,875 | -€51,050,727,750 |
| Gross Change | — | 0.0% |
| Real Change | — | 0.0% |
Gross salary increases by 0.0% (€0), but after tax (30% vs 25%) and cost of living (€32000 vs €24000), your real income changes by only 0.0% — €-8175/year. The €3000 relocation cost is recouped in never. Over 5 years with 3500% salary growth, the total difference is €-14123170875. The higher salary is almost entirely eaten by higher taxes and living costs — you may not be better off.
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
3503% salary growth
At 3500% growth
No growth, higher living costs
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your Annual Real Gain across its full range. New Salary has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on New Salary — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The result swings widely between best and worst cases — it depends heavily on assumptions that are hard to predict.
5-Year Gain: -€9,775 (worst) → -€8,175 (expected) → -€14,169,972,892 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares two salaries by their real income — after taxes and after subtracting the local cost of living. A higher gross salary does not always mean more money in your pocket.
How the calculation works
We calculate net salary (salary × (1 - tax rate)), then subtract annual living costs. The difference is your real income — what you can actually save or spend.
Formula
Net = Salary × (1 - Tax Rate) Real Income = Net - Living Cost Annual Gain = New Real - Current Real
Example
Current: €55k, 25% tax, €24k living = €17,250 real. New: €70k, 30% tax, €32k living = €17,000 real. Despite €15k more salary, real income is €250 less.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Salary Comparison Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
We calculate net salary (salary × (1 - tax rate)), then subtract annual living costs. The difference is your real income — what you can actually save or spend.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: Current: €55k, 25% tax, €24k living = €17,250 real. New: €70k, 30% tax, €32k living = €17,000 real. Despite €15k more salary, real income is €250 less.
Factors to Consider
- Housing is usually the biggest cost of living difference
- Tax brackets can cause a higher salary to yield less after-tax income
- Relocation costs can offset years of salary gains
- Career growth potential varies by location and industry
- Quality of life factors (weather, culture, proximity to family) matter
Common Mistakes
- Comparing gross salaries without adjusting for tax
- Forgetting cost of living differences between cities/countries
- Not accounting for relocation costs
- Ignoring differences in benefits and job security
Frequently Asked Questions
What is real income?+
Real income is what you have left after taxes and essential living costs. It represents your actual spending and saving power.
How much more salary justifies moving to a more expensive city?+
Generally, your salary increase should exceed the cost of living increase by at least 10-15% to justify the disruption of moving.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
Related Calculators
Explore other tools that might help with your decision.