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Live 2026 Estimates

The Real Value of
Your Salary.

Stop comparing gross salaries. Our 2026 Tax Engine calculates your exact take-home pay after Federal, FICA, State, and Local taxes—then adjusts for your personal lifestyle costs.

Disposable Income Simulator

Real 2026 Tax Brackets • Lifestyle-Adjusted Costs

Housing:
Lifestyle:

The Bottom Line

You are effectively $$33,497 poorer in New York

After paying higher taxes and adjusted living costs, your disposable income decreases.

Annual Disposable Income
$30,080
-53% vs Austin

Annual Cash Flow Analysis

Comparing Gross to Net distribution.

Taxes
Living Costs
Disposable

AI Money Insight

Warning: Moving to New York will reduce your spending power by $33,497 annually.

1. Taxes: You will pay $9,845 more in taxes. Keep an eye on New York state taxes.

2. Lifestyle: Your cost of living will increase by $23,652. Housing is the primary driver here.

Total Tax difference
$37,072+$9,845
Financial Methodology

Beyond Gross Salary: The Science of Disposable Income

When considering a relocation, Gross Salary is a misleading metric. A $100,000 salary in Austin, TX offers vastly different purchasing power than the same amount in New York City or San Francisco. The discrepancy isn't just "Cost of Living"—it is a complex interplay of progressive tax structures, local levies, and lifestyle-dependent costs.

Tax Jurisdiction Analysis

Our 2026 Engine analyzes tax exposure across four distinct layers. We account for nuances often missed by simple calculators:

  • Federal & FICA: 2026 Inflation-adjusted brackets + Additional Medicare Tax (> $200k).
  • State Income Tax: Progressive brackets (CA, NY) vs Flat Rates (IL, MA) vs Zero-Tax zones (TX, FL).
  • Local Municipal Taxes: Specific logic for high-tax jurisdictions like NYC Resident Tax (~3.88%).

Lifestyle-Adjusted Cost of Living

Standard CPI baskets don't reflect your reality. A single renter spends differently than a homeowner with a family.

  • Housing Arbitrage: We distinguish between Renting (Market Rent Index) vs Buying (Mortgage Interest + Property Tax).
  • Consumption Profiles: "Frugal" vs "Luxury" toggles adjust weights for discretionary spending (Dining, Entertainment).
  • Family Scaling: Household size multipliers affect Groceries and Utilities but not necessarily Housing.

The "Geographic Arbitrage" Advantage

"Geographic Arbitrage is the act of earning money in a strong economy (high salary) while living in a lower-cost economy (low taxes/living costs)."

This tool is designed to uncover these arbitrage opportunities. By moving from a high-tax jurisdiction (e.g., California) to a tax-friendly state (e.g., Washington or Texas), high earners can effectively give themselves a 15-20% raise without changing jobs.