ExactTakeHome

Two-scenario paycheck delta

Paycheck Comparison Calculator 2026

Compare two independent paycheck scenarios after federal withholding, FICA, state tax, supported local tax, pre-tax deductions, and W-4 inputs.

Use this when the two sides are not just salaries. Scenario A and Scenario B can use different states, filing statuses, pay frequencies, local tax cities, salary or hourly pay, 401(k) percentages, HSA contributions, and W-4 entries. The result keeps gross pay, taxes, deductions, and net pay visible before showing the annual delta.

Comparing full job offers? | Comparing remote-work states? | Need a target net paycheck?

Scenario A

Scenario B

Results ready on calculate

Configure both scenarios independently. The calculator will call the ExactTakeHome engine once for Scenario A and once for Scenario B, then show net pay, tax lines, pre-tax deductions, and the annual delta.

Open a state-specific comparison

State pages prefill Scenario A to that jurisdiction and include a state-specific 2026 example computed from the same engine and tax data as the calculator.

How to use the comparison

Start with the most stable facts: pay type, gross pay, work state, filing status, and pay frequency. Then add pre-tax deductions and W-4 entries if they differ between the scenarios. The delta is based on net annual pay so a weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly schedule can be compared without confusing paycheck timing with total yearly income.

Local tax is included only for cities already modeled in ExactTakeHome. If your city is not listed, leave the city field blank and treat the result as a federal, FICA, and state withholding estimate.

Frequently asked questions

What does a paycheck comparison calculator compare?

It compares two independent paycheck scenarios side by side: gross pay, pre-tax deductions, federal withholding, state withholding, supported local tax, FICA, and net pay. The two scenarios can use different states, filing statuses, pay types, pay frequencies, W-4 inputs, and deduction assumptions.

Why show both annual and per-paycheck results?

Annual net pay shows the true tax impact over the year. Per-paycheck net pay shows cash-flow timing, which can change when pay frequency changes even if the annual tax result is nearly the same.

How do W-4 and deduction fields affect the delta?

Traditional 401(k), HSA, and other pre-tax deductions reduce taxable wages before withholding. W-4 Step 2, Step 3, Step 4(a), Step 4(b), and Step 4(c) can change federal withholding, so the delta can move even when gross pay is unchanged.

Is this a guaranteed paycheck amount?

No. Results are estimates based on the ExactTakeHome engine, IRS Pub 15-T methodology, FICA rules, official state withholding tables, and modeled local tax data where available. Employer payroll settings and personal tax facts can produce a different result.