Trust and assumptions

Data Sources & Confidence

Cushy Index is designed as a salary intelligence estimate, not a payroll, tax or legal authority. This page explains what is modeled, what is benchmarked and where confidence varies by country.

Tax estimates

Country-level tax models use simplified employee assumptions. Some countries are more complex than the model can fully capture, especially the USA, Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Income percentiles

Percentile thresholds are modeled from benchmark salary distributions and national statistics where available. They are directional, not official live payroll data.

Cost of living

Rent, groceries, transport, utilities, childcare and lifestyle costs are modeled at city level from public benchmark data and calibrated assumptions.

Reality Gap

Reality Gap compares gross income rank with modeled lifestyle rank after tax, rent, essentials and household assumptions.

Confidence levels

Strong benchmark	Uses official or widely benchmarked national inputs plus transparent modeling.
Modeled estimate	Uses directional salary, tax or cost estimates where official granular data is limited.
Low confidence	Used only where city, tax or household assumptions vary materially. The UI should warn users.

Always verify important financial, tax or relocation decisions with qualified local professionals. Cushy Index estimates are built to help users compare scenarios, not to replace official advice.