Remote vs Office Calculator
Compare office and remote job offers after commute, lunch, wardrobe, and home office costs. See which truly pays more.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Net Annual Income
Click chart to expand
Cumulative Net Income
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Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Gross Salary
- €3,500
- After-Tax Income
- €2,520
- Hidden Work Costs
- €7,040
- Net Real Income
- -€4,520
- Commute hrs/yr
- 390
- Eff. Hourly Rate
- €1.42
- 5-Year Total
- €4,353,529,400
- Gross Salary
- €3,500
- After-Tax Income
- €2,520
- Hidden Work Costs
- €500
- Net Real Income
- €2,020
- Commute hrs/yr
- 0
- Eff. Hourly Rate
- €1.68
- 5-Year Total
- €4,353,562,100
| Factor | Office Job | Recommended Remote Job |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | €3,500 | €3,500 |
| After-Tax Income | €2,520 | €2,520 |
| Hidden Work Costs | €7,040 | €500 |
| Net Real Income | -€4,520 | €2,020 |
| Commute hrs/yr | 390 | 0 |
| Eff. Hourly Rate | €1.42 | €1.68 |
| 5-Year Total | €4,353,529,400 | €4,353,562,100 |
Remote leaves you €6540/year better off after taxes and work-related costs. Remote saves 390 commute hours (49 work days) worth €656 in time value. Office costs €7040/yr in commute, lunch, and wardrobe vs €500/yr for remote setup.
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
Remote pays 10% more
At stated values
Remote pays 15% less
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
Confidence & Assumptions
The outcome is fairly stable across best and worst cases — this is a robust decision.
Remote Net: €1,642 (worst) → €6,540 (expected) → €2,272 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares office and remote job offers by net income after hidden work costs — commute, lunch, wardrobe, and home office setup — plus the time value of commuting.
How the calculation works
We subtract office-specific costs (commute, lunch, wardrobe) from after-tax office salary, and remote setup costs from after-tax remote salary. Effective hourly rates account for commute time on office days.
Formula
Office Net = Salary × (1 - Tax) - Commute - Lunch - Wardrobe Remote Net = Salary × (1 - Tax) - Setup/yr - Internet Eff. Hourly = Salary / (Work hrs + Commute hrs)
Example
Office €70k with 1.5h commute and €12/day costs nets ~€48k after hidden expenses. Remote €65k with €350/yr setup nets ~€46k — but saves 390 commute hours/year.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Remote vs Office Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
We subtract office-specific costs (commute, lunch, wardrobe) from after-tax office salary, and remote setup costs from after-tax remote salary. Effective hourly rates account for commute time on office days.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: Office €70k with 1.5h commute and €12/day costs nets ~€48k after hidden expenses. Remote €65k with €350/yr setup nets ~€46k — but saves 390 commute hours/year.
Factors to Consider
- Remote roles often pay 5-15% less — check if savings offset the gap
- Commute time is unpaid and reduces your effective hourly rate
- Hybrid arrangements split costs between both models
- Home office equipment may be tax-deductible in some countries
- Career visibility and promotion speed differ between remote and office
Common Mistakes
- Comparing gross salaries without subtracting commute and lunch costs
- Ignoring the time value of a long daily commute
- Forgetting one-time home office setup costs
- Assuming remote always wins — a large salary premium can favour office
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I accept as a remote pay cut?+
If commute saves €3,000-5,000/yr in direct costs plus 300+ hours of time, a 5-10% pay cut can still leave you better off. Use this calculator with your actual numbers.
What hidden office costs should I include?+
Commute (fuel, transit, parking), lunch and coffee, professional clothing, dry cleaning, and occasional after-work social spending. Budget €15-25 per office day.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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