Using the Lifestyle Calculator

The Lifestyle Calculator helps you understand how your future lifestyle choices like where you live, what you spend, and your family plans translate into the salary you’ll need and the careers that can support it. The Lifestyle Calculator uses a combination of national and regional data (such as housing, transportation, and cost-of-living estimates) to provide realistic projections based on your selected location. Values are regularly updated to reflect current trends.

1. The Lifestyle Calculator can be accessed from the main dashboard:
   
   or by clicking on "My Tracker" then "Assessment progress":
   

2. When accessing the Lifestyle Calculator through "My Tracker", "Lifestyle" assessment will be the default: 3. Click "Start Now":4. On the following screen click "Start" located in the bottom right-hand corner:5. You will be asked to select options based on your anticipated lifestyle. As you go along, your totals will appear on the left-hand side: Note: You can go back to any previous question by using the "previous" button or clicking on any of the categories on the left-hand side of the screen:As you continue through the Lifestyle Calculator, you will be asked work preferences. Please answer based on how important each factor is to you:

Upon completion, you will be shown your total lifestyle cost. From here you can toggle between a line-item view or donut chart. You can also download your results, which will then be saved to your computer.

After reviewing your results, click Find Careers to explore jobs that align with your lifestyle goals and required income:

Tip: Try adjusting one category (like housing or transportation) to see how small changes can significantly impact your total cost and career options.See also: Compare Careers