Dual vs Single Income Calculator
Compare dual-income household net after tax, childcare, and commute versus a single-income path with career-gap cost.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Annualized lost earnings / benefits of staying home
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Annual Net Comparison
Click chart to expand
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
Favorable assumptions
Based on your inputs
Higher costs / lower savings
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 Dual-Income Net across its full range. Income B has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on Income B — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The outcome is fairly stable across best and worst cases — this is a robust decision.
Dual-Income Net: -€9,640 (worst) → -€9,640 (expected) → -€9,640 (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
Compares annual household net when both adults work versus one income with a career-gap cost, after tax, childcare, and extra commute.
How the calculation works
Dual net = (A+B)×(1−taxDual) − childcare − extra commute. Single net = A×(1−taxSingle) − career-gap cost. Higher net wins on cash under your assumptions.
Formula
Dual = (A+B)×(1−tDual) − Childcare − Commute Single = A×(1−tSingle) − CareerGap
Example
A €55k + B €42k at 32% dual tax, €12k childcare, €2.4k commute vs single A at 28% tax minus €35k career-gap cost shows which path nets more this year.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Dual vs Single Income Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
Dual net = (A+B)×(1−taxDual) − childcare − extra commute. Single net = A×(1−taxSingle) − career-gap cost. Higher net wins on cash under your assumptions.
- 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: A €55k + B €42k at 32% dual tax, €12k childcare, €2.4k commute vs single A at 28% tax minus €35k career-gap cost shows which path nets more this year.
Factors to Consider
- Career capital beyond one-year cash
- Benefits eligibility and part-time paths
- Flexibility and caregiving preferences
- Tax brackets can differ by filing status
Common Mistakes
- Comparing gross incomes only
- Ignoring commute and work expenses
- Understating long-run career-gap cost
- Using one tax rate for both paths incorrectly
Frequently Asked Questions
When does staying home win financially?+
When childcare, commute, and taxes eat most of the second income — and career-gap cost is not huge in the year you model.
What belongs in career-gap cost?+
Lost wages, stalled raises, pension contributions, and benefits for the year (or annualized). Raise it for multi-year absences.
Is this life advice?+
No — a cash comparison to inform a personal decision.
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.
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