JOB RELOCATION CALCULATOR
Decide whether a job relocation offer is financially workable
Compare the new offer with your current position after taxes, benefits, local living costs, commuting and the one-time expense of moving.
Start with total compensation
Separate base salary, annual bonus, signing bonus, equity and retirement contributions. Recurring compensation and one-time compensation should not be treated as interchangeable.
Calculate the first-year effect
The first year includes moving costs and signing incentives. A move can lose money initially even when it improves recurring monthly cash flow—or look attractive only because of a one-time bonus.
Set a salary floor and target
Your floor is the compensation needed to avoid moving backward under your assumptions. The negotiation target adds room for uncertainty and the disruption of relocating.
Negotiate more than salary
If base salary cannot move, discuss a larger signing bonus, guaranteed bonus, relocation reimbursement, temporary housing, remote work, additional leave or an earlier compensation review.
Non-financial questions still matter
Role quality, manager fit, career growth, family needs and personal wellbeing cannot be reduced to a calculator. Use the financial result as one input, not the decision itself.