Paycheck Power™: What Your Salary Really Feels Like by City (2026)
Paycheck Power™ shows what your salary actually feels like after taxes and housing costs—adjusted for local cost of living.
Instead of comparing raw income, this calculator reveals how far your money goes in different U.S. metro areas.
Enter your income, rent, and city to see your real purchasing power and understand why the same salary can feel comfortable in one city and tight in another.
Tip: Screenshot your Salary Shock™ result and share it—people are always surprised how different NYC feels.
How the Paycheck Power™ Score Works
The Paycheck Power™ Score combines after-tax income, housing costs, and local price levels into a single 0–100 score.
Higher scores indicate stronger purchasing power, while lower scores reflect high rent pressure or elevated living costs.
A score below 40 suggests tight finances, while scores above 70 indicate greater flexibility.
Note: A high salary does not guarantee a high Paycheck Power score if housing consumes a large share of take-home pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paycheck Power the same as cost of living?
No. Cost of living measures prices, while Paycheck Power shows how your income performs after taxes and housing in a specific city.
Why does the same salary feel different in different cities?
Taxes, rent, and everyday prices vary widely by metro area. Paycheck Power accounts for these differences to show real purchasing power.
What is a good Paycheck Power score?
Scores above 70 generally indicate comfortable flexibility, while scores below 40 suggest tight finances due to high rent or low after-tax income.
Is this a tax calculator?
No. Paycheck Power uses estimated effective tax rates for comparison purposes only and is not tax advice.
Related Cost of Living & Salary Guides
- Is $120K a Good Salary in New York City?
- The Real Value of $100 in America’s Largest Metro Areas
- How Much Net Worth You Need to Be Top 10% in NYC