Geographic Arbitrage · Migration Horizon
Break-even month for relocating · monthly surplus delta vs one-time move cost.
Moving is a one-time expense that pays back in monthly surplus gains. Break-even = move cost / monthly gain. If you won't stay past break-even, the move is a bet against yourself. This tool plots the plane along a 36-month horizon.
Part of: Big Life Decisions, By the Numbers
Before you act on the result
Logic tools help expose a tradeoff, but they cannot see the full situation around the decision. Use the result to slow down the choice and name the assumption that matters most.
If one input drives the answer, test that assumption before treating the result as stable.
More about this tool
How to use this tool
- Enter monthly income and cost at both locations, plus one-time move cost.
- Monthly gain = (income − cost)·there − (income − cost)·here.
- Break-even = move cost / monthly gain. Negative gain = no break-even, ever.
- Under 6 months = fast · 6–18 = reasonable · 18+ = only if you commit to staying.
Examples
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Frequently asked questions
› What about taxes and visas?
Roll them into cost-there. Tax differential is often the biggest line item — factor in effective rate, not marginal.
› Does this handle remote work?
Yes — keep income flat, drop cost-there to the new location, move cost to one-time relocation. The classic "remote to cheaper city" case.
Tips & related reading
See the Big Life Decisions, By the Numbers hub →Tips & how-tos
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