Moving Calculator

This is the sum of every cost difference between California and your destination over the entire projection period. It includes state income tax savings, property tax differences, mortgage elimination, utility savings, insurance differences, vehicle costs, and cost of living — minus one-time moving costs in year 1.

Moving has one-time costs (movers, closing costs, etc.). Break-even is how quickly your monthly savings exceed those upfront costs. A short break-even (under 12 months) means the move pays for itself very quickly.

When you don't pay CA state tax, that money stays invested in your portfolio. Over time, those reinvested savings earn returns of their own (compound growth). This number shows how much MORE your portfolio is worth at your destination vs staying in CA — it's often the biggest long-term benefit.

This is the estimated value of all your investment accounts (401K, IRA, Roth, brokerage, cash) at the end of the projection period, assuming you moved to this destination and reinvested tax savings. Growth rate uses the midpoint of your conservative and aggressive estimates.

This line chart shows how your total savings build up over time. The line goes up faster during high-income years (Google employment) because the state tax savings are largest then. The steepness of the line tells you how fast you're saving. A dip in year 1 reflects the one-time moving costs.

Each bar shows one year's total savings, color-coded by what's driving it. Blue = state income tax savings (usually the biggest piece). Green = mortgage elimination. Yellow = utility savings. Purple = capital gains tax. Gray = everything else (insurance, vehicle, cost of living). Watch how the mix changes as you move from Google employment to retirement.

Two lines showing your portfolio value over time. The CA line grows at your investment return rate. The destination line grows faster because you're adding the tax savings that would have gone to California. The gap between the lines widens every year — that's compound growth working in your favor.

Horizontal bars showing the total savings (or extra cost) for each category over the entire projection. Green bars = you save money in this category. Red bars = it costs more at the destination (like slightly higher sales tax or FL insurance). The length of each bar shows relative importance.

Your financial life has 3 chapters: Google employment (highest income = highest tax savings), handyman/semi-retirement (lower income, Roth conversion opportunity), and full retirement (portfolio withdrawals + Social Security). This shows which phase contributes the most savings.

A table showing every year with your income, what you'd pay in total costs staying in CA, what you'd pay at the destination, the annual savings, and the running total. The "Phase" column shows which life stage you're in. This is the most detailed view available.

Bar chart showing what California would charge you in state income tax each year, vs what the destination charges (0 for NV/FL, 2.5% for AZ). The difference is pure savings. Notice how the bars are tallest during Google employment when your income is highest.

When you convert traditional 401K/IRA money to Roth, the converted amount is taxed as income that year. In CA, you'd pay federal tax PLUS 4-9.3% state tax. In NV/FL, you pay federal tax only ($0 state). In AZ, you pay federal + 2.5%. The green "savings" bars show how much less you pay by converting outside CA. This is why the low-income years after Google are the optimal conversion window.

This chart tracks three account types over time. The red "Traditional" line (401K + IRA) shrinks as you convert to Roth during the conversion window. The green "Roth" line grows as money moves in and compounds tax-free. The blue "Brokerage" line shows your taxable investment account. The goal: get as much as possible into Roth before age 73 (when RMDs force withdrawals from traditional accounts).

Your Google total comp includes ~$97K in variable pay (sales bonuses/commissions) at 100% quota. This slider lets you model different scenarios: 50% = half the variable comp, 150% = accelerators kick in. It adjusts all 4 years of Google income proportionally, and all tax calculations update instantly.

Drag to see how savings compound over different timeframes. Shorter periods (5-10 years) show the immediate impact. Longer periods (20-40 years) reveal the power of compound growth on reinvested tax savings — the portfolio advantage grows dramatically over time.

This chart compares the average monthly high temperatures (°F) for Sacramento (your current area), Reno, Tampa, and Sun Lakes. Sacramento has mild weather year-round with hot dry summers. Reno is ~10°F cooler with real winter and snow. Tampa stays warm year-round but is very humid in summer with hurricane risk. Sun Lakes/Phoenix has extreme summer heat (106°F+) but pleasant winters. Weather impacts utility costs — A/C drives electricity bills in Tampa and Sun Lakes.