A bigger CTC is not always a better offer. Compare what you take home, what you may receive later, and what rent and commuting could costside by side.
Enter your two offers
All figures are annual unless marked monthly. Values stay in your browser and are not sent anywhere.
Offer A
Headline cost to company.
Use the amount you expect after deductions.
Enter 0 if it is not applicable or you prefer to exclude it.
Optional estimate; not guaranteed cash.
Fuel, transit, parking or regular cabs.
Offer B
Headline cost to company.
Use the amount you expect after deductions.
Enter 0 if it is not applicable or you prefer to exclude it.
Optional estimate; not guaranteed cash.
Fuel, transit, parking or regular cabs.
Estimated practical value after selected costs
Your comparison
Offer B looks stronger
Based on the inputs below, before considering tax changes or career growth.
Offer A / year0
Offer B / year0
Difference / year0
Higher CTC
Breakdown
Annual estimate
Offer A
Offer B
In-hand salary
0
0
Bonus + annualised ESOPs
0
0
Rent + commute
0
0
Practical value
0
0
This is a comparison aid, not a salary, tax, investment or ESOP valuation. Bonus and ESOP figures are user estimates.
How this calculator works
CTC helps you compare the headline package, while monthly in-hand salary is the cash you can use now. The practical value estimate makes the everyday trade-off visible:
1. Annual cashMonthly in-hand 12
2. Add potential upsideExpected bonus + your annualised ESOP estimate
3. Subtract location costsMonthly rent and commute 12
Assumptions
In-hand salary is entered by you; the calculator does not reconstruct tax, PF, gratuity, insurance or other deductions from CTC.
Bonus is treated as an expected annual amount, not a guaranteed payment. ESOPs are treated as the annualised value you enter, not as liquid cash.
Rent and commute are treated as recurring annual costs. Food, utilities, deposits, relocation, childcare, family support and one-time costs are not included.
The result describes the selected financial inputs only. Role quality, learning, stability, flexibility, location preference and future growth need your own judgment.
Limitations and references
Actual take-home pay depends on salary structure, tax regime, deductions and employer policy. ESOP value depends on vesting, exercise terms, liquidity, dilution, taxation and market value. Check the latest details with your employer and the relevant authorities. Useful starting points: Income Tax Department, EPFO, and SEBI.
How to Compare Two Job Offers
Comparing offers only by headline CTC can hide the difference between guaranteed pay and conditional pay. Enter fixed salary, expected bonus, equity value, benefits, rent, commute, and other recurring costs separately. A higher package may not produce a better everyday outcome if it includes a large variable component or requires substantially higher living expenses.
For equity, enter a conservative estimate rather than treating an unvested grant as cash. Consider vesting schedules, exercise rules, liquidity, taxes, and the possibility that the value changes. For bonuses, use the amount you reasonably expect to receive rather than the maximum advertised figure. The tool is designed to make assumptions visible, not to predict a companys future share price.
Also compare non-financial factors: role scope, learning opportunities, manager quality, work location, flexibility, notice period, stability, and long-term career direction. A useful comparison uses the calculator as a discussion framework and then confirms the final terms in the written offer letter.
Additional Comparison Checks
Before choosing, separate guaranteed compensation from best-case compensation. Ask whether the bonus is contractual, whether the company has paid the target amount historically, and when the payment is made. For equity, check the vesting schedule, cliff, exercise window, tax treatment, and whether there is a practical way to sell the shares. These details can change the value of an offer even when two headline packages look similar.
Location costs deserve the same care. Monthly rent is only one part of moving for a job; deposits, brokerage, furnishing, utilities, travel home, and time spent commuting can affect the first year substantially. Enter recurring costs consistently for both offers, and treat one-time relocation costs separately in your final decision. The calculator is most useful when the inputs reflect the life you would actually live in each role carefully.
Offer Comparison FAQ
Should I enter CTC or in-hand salary first?
Start with monthly in-hand salary because it reflects spendable cash. Then use CTC as a context field to notice how much of the package is locked inside benefits, employer contributions, variable pay, or future upside.
How should I compare remote and office roles?
For remote roles, enter lower commute costs but remember to account for internet, home office setup, electricity, and occasional travel. For office roles, include realistic commute time, transport, parking, and rent differences near the workplace. A small salary gap can disappear when daily costs and time are counted honestly.