How to compare two job offers by take-home pay
Tax year 2026 · Last updated:
Gross salary is not take-home. Use this checklist to compare two US offers on the paycheck tax slice — then layer benefits and living costs separately.
1. Match the inputs first
Before you judge which offer “pays more,” align annual salary, pay frequency, and filing status. If one offer is hourly, convert it to a comparable annual gross so state tax is not confused with hours worked.
In TakeHome, open Compare mode and keep Offer A / Offer B inputs identical except for the state (and NYC if relevant).
2. Isolate state tax from everything else
Federal income tax and FICA often move together across states for the same gross. The meaningful paycheck delta is usually state (and sometimes local) income tax.
That is why California vs Texas or New York vs Florida guides help: they explain the tax-slice story before you open the calculator.
3. Decide what the calculator will not price
Bonus, equity, 401(k) match, health premiums, and signing bonuses can outweigh a few thousand dollars of state tax. Cost of living can erase a “higher take-home” result entirely.
Treat the calculator output as one column in a wider decision table — not the final answer.
Quick checklist
- Same gross, same frequency, same filing status
- Toggle NYC only when modeling city residency
- Read coverage / omission notes under each result
- Compare benefits and housing after the tax slice
Try it now
Open the calculator in Compare mode, or start from a state-pair guide.
FAQ
Should I compare monthly or annual net?
Either works if both offers use the same pay frequency. Annual net is often clearer for offer decisions; per-period net helps sanity-check a stub.
What if one offer has a much better 401(k) match?
Model base pay in the calculator, then add the match (and other benefits) outside TakeHome. Pre-tax deferrals change taxable wages; employer match is not the same as take-home cash.
Can I compare remote roles in two states?
Yes as a sketch: pick the taxed state you are modeling for each offer. Real multi-state residency rules can be more complex than this tool.