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WFH vs Office Cost Calculator

A remote job at $105K can beat an in-office job at $115K. Enter both offers' gross pay and work-related costs to see which scenario actually puts more dollars in your pocket after commuting, lunches, wardrobe, and more.

Where this fits

💼 Income & OffersOffer ReviewFreelancersEmployees

This tool lives inside Offer Review and is most useful for freelancers and employees.

SE Tax Rate15.3%
QBI Deduction20%
Quarterly DeadlinesApr · Jun · Sep · Jan
Remote Net / yr
$102,640
$2,360/yr in WFH costs
Office Net / yr
$90,318
$9,682/yr in office costs
Net Difference
+$12,322
Remote wins
Remote Premium Needed
None
Remote already covers costs

Remote comes out ahead

After accounting for all costs, remote leaves $12,322/yr more in your pocket — even though the gross might be similar.

Remote Scenario

Annual WFH costs

Internet upgrade
$480
Equipment
$800
Utilities
$360
Coworking
$720
Total WFH costs$2,360/yr
Office Scenario
Commute method

Annual office costs

Commute
$6,298
Wardrobe
$1,200
Lunches out
$2,184
Parking / tolls
$0
Total office costs$9,682/yr

Remote puts $12,322 more in your pocket each year

Even after all home-office costs, remote nets more — the commute, wardrobe, and lunch savings add up fast.

1

Remote total costs (annual)

internet upgrade + equipment + utilities + coworking

$480 + $800 + $360 + $720

= $2,360

Home office costs are real — but many are partially deductible as business expenses (home office deduction, equipment depreciation).

2

Remote net compensation (annual)

remote gross − remote costs

$105,000 − $2,360

= $102,640

3

Commute cost (car, annual)

miles/day × 2 (round trip) × IRS rate × commute days

20 mi × 2 × $0.67/mi × 235 days

= $6,298

IRS standard mileage rate 2024: $0.67/mile. This covers fuel, maintenance, depreciation — not just gas.

4

Office other costs (annual)

wardrobe + lunches out + parking + relocation (amortized)

$1,200 + $2,184 + $0 + $0

= $3,384

Lunches: 3 days/wk × $14/meal × 52 weeks = $2,184/yr

5

Office total costs (annual)

commute + wardrobe + lunches + parking + relocation

$6,298 + $3,384

= $9,682

6

Office net compensation (annual)

office gross − office costs

$100,000 − $9,682

= $90,318

7

Net difference (remote vs office)

remote net − office net

$102,640 − $90,318

= +$12,322

Remote leaves more in your pocket despite the home-office costs.

Key insight

Remote saves $12,322/yr vs office after all costs — mostly from eliminating commuting and lunch spending.

#ShowYourWork

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