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Relocation Break-Even Calculator
See how many months it takes for a higher income abroad to pay back what the move cost you.
How break-even is calculated
This divides your total one-time relocation cost by the net monthly gain the move gives you — the monthly income increase minus any new ongoing costs the move introduces — to find how many months it takes before the move has effectively paid for itself.
Pair it with the other tools
Run the total relocation cost estimator for the cost figure and the cost-of-living salary equivalence calculator to get a realistic, cost-of-living-adjusted income gain before you use this tool.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as the "monthly income gain" from the move?
This is the increase in your monthly income or take-home pay attributable to the move — for example, a higher salary in the new role, adjusted for cost-of-living differences if you've already run that comparison. If the move doesn't increase your income, enter 0 and the tool will show that you don't break even on income alone.
What should I include as "ongoing extra monthly costs"?
Any new recurring cost the move introduces that you didn't have before — higher rent than your old home, private health insurance, international school fees, or a higher cost of living not already reflected in your income gain. If your income gain figure is already cost-of-living-adjusted, be careful not to double-count.
What does it mean if the calculator says break-even is never reached?
It means your ongoing extra monthly costs are equal to or greater than your monthly income gain, so the relocation cost is never recovered on these numbers alone — the move may still be worth it for non-financial reasons, but it isn't a financial win on the inputs you've entered.
Should I use before-tax or after-tax numbers?
Use after-tax, take-home figures wherever possible for the most realistic break-even estimate, since taxes can differ significantly between your current and target country and materially change how much of an income increase actually reaches you.