Why a higher salary doesn't always mean more money
Three forces silently consume HCOL salaries: state income tax, housing costs, and general cost of living. California's top marginal state tax is 13.3%. New York City piles on its own city tax. And median rent in San Francisco is 2–3x that of comparable cities in Texas or North Carolina.
The real comparison: disposable income
The only number that matters is what's left after you pay taxes, housing, food, transport, and your other fixed costs. Two people with wildly different salaries can end up with the same disposable income — or the lower-salary person can come out ahead if they chose a cheaper city.
What this calculator doesn't include
It doesn't model FICA (7.65%, same everywhere), federal income tax (same everywhere), or benefits differences between employers. It focuses on the variable factors: state tax and local cost of living — the things that actually differ by city.
Frequently asked questions
What state tax rate should I enter?
Use the marginal rate for your income level. For a rough estimate: California 9.3–13.3%, New York 6–10.9%, Texas/Florida/Washington 0%. See the take-home pay calculator for a full state list.
What should I include in "other expenses"?
Food, transport, utilities, subscriptions, dining out, entertainment — everything except rent. You can look up city-specific estimates on Numbeo or BLS data for your lifestyle level.
Is my data saved?
No. Everything runs locally in your browser. Nothing is stored or transmitted.
For educational and estimation purposes only; not financial advice. Tax rates and cost of living estimates are approximations. Actual results depend on your specific deductions, lifestyle, and employer benefits.