Interactive Simulator
Job Offer Comparison Simulator
Compare two job offers beyond just salary. See the true financial value after taxes and cost of living, effective hourly rate, and life-quality impact of each opportunity.
Overall Assessment
Offer B leads on both fronts
Offer B offers stronger compensation and higher life-quality ratings.
Gross Comp
A: $207K
B: $172K
Purchasing Power
A: $166K
B: $180K
Hourly Rate
A: $70/hr
B: $82/hr
Life Quality
A: 52
B: 84
Life Quality Factors
Rate each factor 1–5 for both offers. Higher is better.
Work-Life Balance
Offer A
Offer B
Remote Flexibility
Offer A
Offer B
Career Growth
Offer A
Offer B
Job Enjoyment
Offer A
Offer B
Team & Culture
Offer A
Offer B
Overall Assessment
Offer B leads on both fronts
Offer B offers stronger compensation and higher life-quality ratings.
Gross Comp
A: $207K
B: $172K
Purchasing Power
A: $166K
B: $180K
Hourly Rate
A: $70/hr
B: $82/hr
Life Quality
A: 52
B: 84
Compensation breakdown
Base $150K · Bonus $15K · Signing $3K · Equity $20K · Benefits $19K
Base $130K · Bonus $10K · Signing $1K · Equity $5K · Benefits $26K
Signing bonus amortized over 4 years. Benefits include retirement match, health insurance, and other perks.
From gross comp to purchasing power
Gross annual compensation
Net take-home comp
State tax: A −$19K · B −$0
Purchasing power (COL-adjusted)
COL index: A 110 · B 95 (100 = national average)
Effective hourly rate
Net comp (after tax & commute) ÷ (50 hrs/wk for A, 40 hrs/wk for B).
Life quality comparison
Each axis runs from 1 (center) to 5 (edge). Larger area = higher life quality.
Detailed breakdown
Gross comp gap
$34K for A
Purchasing power gap
$14K for B
Hourly rate edge
$12/hr for B
State tax cost
A: $19K · B: $0
Commute hours/yr
A: 390 · B: 43
Life quality gap
+32 for B
What’s driving this
Offer A provides $34K more in gross annual compensation ($207K vs $172K).
Offer A loses $19K more per year to state income tax (10% vs 0%).
After state taxes, commute costs, and cost-of-living adjustment, the picture flips: Offer B comes out ahead with $14K more in purchasing power.
Offer B scores 32 points higher on life quality (84 vs 52), reflecting stronger ratings on factors like work-life balance and flexibility.
Offer A requires 347 more commute hours per year — that's 43 extra full workdays spent in transit.
This simulator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Compensation estimates are based on the values you provide. State tax is a simplified flat-rate estimate applied to taxable income (base + bonus + equity + amortized signing); actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, and bracket progression. Signing bonus is amortized over 4 years (typical new-job tenure). Benefits (retirement match, health insurance, other) are not subject to state tax in this model. COL index adjusts purchasing power but does not capture all regional cost differences. Life quality scores are subjective and user-defined. Consult a financial advisor for personalized guidance.