Compare Life Scenarios
See the financial impact of life's biggest decisions — powered by real tax and COL data
Add a second scenario to start comparing
Results update automatically as you type
How Scenario Comparison Works
How are scenarios compared?
Each scenario is evaluated using your gross income, location-specific state tax brackets, federal tax rates, FICA contributions, housing costs, and local cost-of-living adjustments. The engine calculates annual take-home pay, total expenses, and net savings for an apples-to-apples comparison across different cities and salaries.
How is the 10-year projection calculated?
The 10-year wealth projection takes your annual savings from each scenario and compounds them at an assumed investment return rate. This shows the long-term financial impact of seemingly small annual differences — a $5,000/year savings advantage can compound into $70,000+ over a decade with typical market returns.
What tax data is used?
All calculations use 2026 federal income tax brackets, state-specific progressive tax brackets for all 50 states, and current FICA rates (Social Security at 6.2% up to the wage base, Medicare at 1.45% with the additional 0.9% surcharge for high earners). States with no income tax are accurately reflected with zero state tax liability.
What is Scenario Comparison?
Scenario comparison is a strategic financial modeling technique that allows you to evaluate the impact of complex life decisions side-by-side. Instead of looking at individual numbers like salary or rent in isolation, a scenario analysis combines taxes, cost of living, housing, and investment growth to show you the "total wealth" outcome of different choices.
Whether you are choosing between job offers in different states or deciding whether to relocate to a lower-cost area, comparing scenarios ensures you make decisions based on purchasing power and long-term wealth, not just nominal income.
How to Run a Financial Scenario Analysis
Follow these four steps to model your life choices accurately:
- 1Establish Your BaselineEnter your current income, location, and housing costs. This serves as the control group for your comparison.
- 2Model Your AlternativesCreate up to three additional scenarios (e.g., "New Job in Austin" or "Remote from Denver"). Update the location and projected salary for each.
- 3Adjust for Taxes and COLOur engine automatically applies 2026 federal and state tax brackets and city-specific cost of living indices to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison.
- 4Review the 10-Year ImpactCompare the "total wealth" projection after 10 years of compound growth. Often, a lower salary in a low-tax, low-COL area outpaces a higher salary in a high-cost city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a financial scenario comparison?
A financial scenario comparison is the process of evaluating different life choices—such as moving to a new city, changing jobs, or buying a home—by modeling their impact on your take-home pay, cost of living, and long-term wealth side-by-side.
How does cost of living affect salary?
Cost of living (COL) significantly impacts your "purchasing power." For example, a $150,000 salary in San Francisco (COL 179) has roughly the same purchasing power as a $93,000 salary in San Antonio (COL 91). Scenario modeling helps identify these differences before you make a move.
Why use a 10-year wealth projection?
Short-term savings can be deceptive. A 10-year wealth projection accounts for compound growth, salary increases, and inflation, showing how a small monthly savings difference can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in wealth over a decade.
Modeling Tips
- ✓Include State Taxes: Moving from CA to TX saves ~10% in income tax immediately.
- ✓Factor in 401(k): Maxing your 401(k) in a high-tax state reduces your taxable income significantly.
- ✓Purchasing Power: Focus on "discretionary income" after housing and taxes, not gross pay.