Guide
Salary Offer Relocation Stress Test
A higher salary is not the same as a better life. Stress-test the offer before saying yes.
The cleanest test is monthly breathing room after unavoidable costs. Compare current take-home pay and target take-home pay after benefits, premiums, retirement choices, local tax differences, and expected commute changes.
Questions before accepting
- Does the raise cover higher rent with money left over?
- What happens if the target apartment costs 10–15% more than expected?
- Will health premiums, childcare, or commuting erase the raise?
- How long until one-time moving costs are recovered?
- Does the job provide relocation reimbursement, and when is it paid?
A strong offer should not require perfect rent, perfect timing, and perfect reimbursements just to break even.