How to Compare Two Job Offers Without Getting Fooled by Salary

A practical framework to compare job offers using take-home pay, benefits, commute, and stub rate—not just the headline number.

Step 1: Normalize to annual cash

Put both offers in the same units: annual gross, expected bonus (probability-weighted), and equity only if you can estimate a conservative value. Ignore “up to” language unless it is contractual.

Step 2: Convert to take-home in each location

State tax differences alone can be $5,000–$15,000+ per year at mid salaries. Filing status and 401(k) deferrals change the picture further. Use StubRate’s compare tool to put both offers side by side.

Step 3: Subtract lifestyle costs the job creates

Commute, parking, and forced spending belong in the spreadsheet. So does a higher cost of living if you must relocate. The winning offer is the one with the best true stub rate for your life—not the best LinkedIn flex.

Run your numbers in StubRate