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NRI Calculator
Salary Calculator NRI Retirement Planner

Get Your Equivalent Salary

Beyond currency. See what your salary really means.

₹
Enter amount like 30L, 1.5Cr, or $200K

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and why does it matter?

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is an economic theory that compares the relative value of currencies based on what you can actually buy with them. It's not about exchange rates—it's about real purchasing power.

For example, if you earn ₹30L in Bangalore and move to San Francisco, you might need $150K to maintain the same lifestyle, even though the exchange rate suggests ₹30L equals only $36K. This is because:

  • Housing costs vary dramatically: A 2BHK in Bangalore might cost ₹40K/month, while the same in SF costs $4,500/month
  • Food and services are cheaper in India: A meal that costs ₹200 in India might cost $20 in the US
  • Transportation and utilities differ: Public transport, fuel, and utilities have different cost structures

Our calculator uses real-world PPP data from sources like Numbeo, World Bank, and city-specific cost-of-living indices to give you accurate equivalent salaries.

How accurate is this calculator?

Our calculator uses real-world data from multiple sources:

  • Cost of Living Indices: Numbeo, Expatistan, and city-specific databases
  • PPP Multipliers: World Bank PPP data adjusted for city-level variations
  • Housing Data: Real rental prices from Zillow, 99acres, and local real estate platforms
  • Salary Benchmarks: Glassdoor, Payscale, and industry-specific surveys

Accuracy factors:

  • Data is updated quarterly to reflect current market conditions
  • Calculations account for lifestyle differences (eating out, transportation preferences)
  • Results are within ±10-15% of actual requirements for most users
  • Your personal spending habits may vary—use this as a starting point

Note: This is a planning tool. Actual costs will depend on your specific lifestyle, neighborhood choice, and spending patterns.

Which salary should I enter—CTC, gross, or in-hand?

Enter your current in-hand (take-home) salary or your gross salary before taxes. The calculator works with both:

  • In-hand salary: What you actually receive after all deductions. This gives you the most accurate equivalent for maintaining your current lifestyle.
  • Gross salary: Your salary before taxes and deductions. The calculator will show you the equivalent gross salary needed in the destination city.

Don't use CTC (Cost to Company): CTC includes benefits, insurance, and other components that don't directly affect your day-to-day purchasing power. For lifestyle comparison, use your actual take-home or gross salary.

Pro tip: If you're comparing job offers, use gross salary. If you're planning a move, use in-hand salary to see what you'll need to maintain your current lifestyle.

Why can't I find my city in the list?

We currently support major cities in India and the United States with reliable PPP data. If your city isn't listed:

  • Try nearby major cities: Costs are often similar within metropolitan areas (e.g., use San Francisco for Oakland, or Mumbai for Navi Mumbai)
  • Check for alternative names: Some cities have multiple names (e.g., "Bangalore" vs "Bengaluru")
  • Use the closest match: For smaller cities, use the nearest major city as a proxy

We're expanding: We're continuously adding more cities based on user demand. Popular requests get prioritized. If you'd like to see your city added, the calculation data helps us understand demand.

Current coverage: We support 50+ cities across India and the US, including all major tech hubs, financial centers, and migration destinations.

What does "savings potential" mean in the results?

Savings potential shows how much more (or less) you could save monthly and annually in the destination city compared to your current city, assuming you maintain the same lifestyle.

Positive savings: If the destination city is cheaper, you'll see how much extra you could save each month. This is useful for:

  • Planning early retirement (FIRE)
  • Building a larger investment portfolio
  • Paying off debts faster
  • Saving for major expenses (house, education, etc.)

Negative savings: If the destination is more expensive, it shows how much more you'd need to earn to maintain the same savings rate.

Important: This calculation assumes you maintain the same lifestyle. In reality, you might adjust your spending patterns in the new city (e.g., eating out more in SF, or saving more on housing in Austin).

Does this account for tax differences between countries?

Partially. The calculator focuses on purchasing power (what you can buy), not tax optimization. Here's what to know:

  • Tax rates vary significantly: US federal taxes (10-37%) + state taxes (0-13%) vs. India's progressive tax (5-30%)
  • Tax deductions differ: 401(k), HSA, and mortgage deductions in the US vs. Section 80C, HRA, and LTA in India
  • Our calculator shows gross equivalents: The equivalent salary needed to maintain lifestyle, but actual take-home will depend on your tax situation

What to do:

  • Use our Salary Calculator to see actual in-hand salary after taxes for both countries
  • Factor in tax-advantaged accounts (401(k) in US, EPF in India) when comparing total compensation
  • Consider consulting a tax advisor for cross-border tax planning

Pro tip: For a complete picture, compare both the PPP equivalent (this calculator) and the tax-adjusted take-home (salary calculator) to make informed decisions.