Practical read
The money and lifestyle signals point the same way
When both signals align, the decision is clearer. Still verify assumptions that are hard to guarantee.
Career
Job Offer Decision Engine
Compare two offers with salary growth components, tax drag, commute friction, and time-value assumptions.
Jump to another decision
See all decisionsOffer A
Model the first offer
Start with the compensation you can reasonably compare: salary, bonus, equity, taxes, and growth.
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Offer B
Model the second offer
Use the same structure so the comparison stays fair and the trade-offs are visible.
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Commute / remote
Put a value on time and flexibility
Commute time, commuting costs, weekly hours, and remote stipends can change the practical answer.
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Benefits / PTO
Add benefits and PTO
Benefits and paid time off are not always cash, but they can still carry meaningful decision value.
Estimate health benefits, retirement match, insurance, allowances, or other recurring non-salary value.
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Used to estimate the practical value of paid time away from work.
Estimate health benefits, retirement match, insurance, allowances, or other recurring non-salary value.
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Used to estimate the practical value of paid time away from work.
Assumptions
Choose how to judge the offers
Adjust the comparison horizon, the value of commute time, and how much risk matters.
Advanced comparison assumptionsOpen when the decision depends on time value, horizon, or risk tolerance.
Results
Read the offer like a life decision
The result combines after-tax income, effective hourly pay, commute friction, benefits, and upside.
Visual Comparison
ReasonableOffer B wins financially
Offer B is ahead by about $48,973 over 3 years after taxes, commute friction, and remote stipends.
- B - A Over Horizon
- +$48,973
- Effective hourly compensation
- $39 / $46
- Lifestyle value difference
- +$16,255
3-year nets: A $250,330 | B $299,303
After-tax net value divided by working hours.
Offer B has the stronger lifestyle value.
Offer A
$80,580
After-tax estimate · Effective hourly: $39
Offer B
$94,900
After-tax estimate · Effective hourly: $46
Benefits value
$15,423 / $21,138
Annual benefits plus estimated PTO value.
Sensitivity check
What changes the answer most?
Each card shows how a key assumption moves the multi-year gap between Offer B and Offer A.One more year in role
$20,651Growth assumptions matter more the longer you stay.
Commute time value +$10/hour
$7,800Remote and shorter commute offers improve when time is valued higher.
Offer B equity +$5,000/year
$11,349Upside-heavy offers are sensitive to equity expectations.
Offer B +5 work hours/week
$0More hours reduce effective hourly compensation.
Planning inputs
Assumptions behind the comparison
These assumptions decide whether the result feels realistic or too optimistic.- Estimated Tax Rate (%)
- 30% / 28%
- Comp Growth / Year (%)
- 3% / 5%
- Value of Commute Time ($/hour)
- $35
- Risk sensitivity
- 50%
Estimated effective tax rates are applied to salary, bonus, and equity.
Compensation growth compounds over the selected horizon.
Commute time is converted into a practical cost.
Risk sensitivity is advisory and helps frame the result; it does not change the core formula.
Offer Comparison Cards
A compact scan of the costs and values that often get missed in salary-only comparisons.
Disclaimer
The results generated by this calculator are estimates for informational purposes only.
They are based on simplified assumptions and the information you provide.
Money Wizards does not provide financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.
Always verify results and consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Live offer comparison
Offer B wins financially
- B - A Over Horizon
- +$48,973
- Effective hourly compensation
- $39 / $46
- Lifestyle value difference
- +$16,255
3-year nets: A $250,330 | B $299,303
After-tax net value divided by working hours.
Offer B has the stronger lifestyle value.
How to read this
Offer B is ahead by about $48,973 over 3 years after taxes, commute friction, and remote stipends.
ReasonableMethodology
What This Job Offer Tool Helps You Compare
A higher salary does not always produce the better outcome. This model pushes beyond headline pay so you can compare the net financial effect of commute time, remote stipends, taxes, and growth assumptions.
- Compares base salary, bonus, equity, taxes, commute cost, and time-value trade-offs side by side.
- Lets you price commute hours so hidden lifestyle costs become visible in the recommendation.
- Projects annual and multi-year net outcomes rather than stopping at a single compensation snapshot.
- Works best when two offers look close on paper but feel different in day-to-day reality.
FAQ
Why include commute time in a job offer comparison?
Because time has economic value. A shorter commute can change effective hourly value even when gross compensation looks lower.
Should I include equity at face value?
It is usually better to use a conservative annualized estimate, especially if the equity is uncertain, illiquid, or tied to vesting risk.
What assumptions matter most?
Tax rate, compensation growth, commute hours, and the time horizon usually have the biggest effect on which offer comes out ahead.