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Job-Search Runway Calculator
The runway is the monthly burn in the new city multiplied by the months before income, plus the one-time setup and a buffer.
The first paycheck usually arrives after a full payroll cycle, not on the start date. Confirm the pay schedule with the employer before setting the months.
Count payroll cycles, not job-search time
Offers often include a start date and a monthly pay date. If you start on the 20th and payroll runs on the 25th for the previous month, your first full payment can be six weeks away. The runway should end at the money, not at the contract.
Freelance or contract work has a longer gap: invoice, payment terms and bank clearing can add another month.
Why the buffer is not optional
New-country costs are higher in the first months because you do not yet know the cheap options. A buffer covers the learning curve, a deposit surprise and one rejected application fee. Fifteen percent is a starting point; raise it if your income timing is uncertain.
Frequently asked questions
Should the runway include the relocation cost?
No. Keep relocation and move-in costs in their own calculators to avoid counting them twice. The runway starts when you begin living in the destination.
What if I have no local income yet?
Use the months until your expected first payment, and add a month if the payment depends on a client or an approval you do not control.
Can savings in another currency count?
Yes, but convert at a conservative rate and keep a buffer for the transfer cost and the rate move.