- - Would you rather work a $240K in-office job or a $120K remote one? Hidden costs might sway you one way or the other

Rebecca HollandJanuary 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM

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Christina Najjar, known as Tinx on TikTok, kicks off a debate about in-office and remote employment.

A new debate has cropped up on social media feeds — and it has nothing to do with the color of a dress or how to pronounce “gif.”

The question being asked is whether it’s better to accept a fully remote job with a $120,000 salary or earn twice as much working in a traditional office setting.

Opinions are divided, with some users touting the mental health benefits of remote work, while others say the job with the higher salary is the obvious choice.

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Shifting priorities around work, money and quality of life mean there simply isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Your own preference may be dictated by your financial situation and values.

Here’s our take on the trending debate, and what you should keep in mind in order to make the best decision for yourself and family.

Taking the money

Those who say the extra salary is the obvious choice tout the benefits of saving and potentially being able to retire early.

Radio host Christina Najjar, also known as Tinx, kicked off the debate after posing the question in a TikTok video on Dec. 9 that has since garnered over 5.6 million views (1). She came down firmly on the side of the higher pay.

“What do you guys think goes on at the office? It's not that scary,” she said, directly addressing young adults. “Especially for an extra $120,000 a year.”

Taking on an office job with a higher salary makes sense for many budding workers. According to credit bureau Experian, Gen Z (7.8%) and millennials (1.6%) were the only generations to experience an increase in consumer debt last year (2). Across credit cards, loans and mortgages, Gen Z had an average $34,328 of consumer debt, while millennials were $132,280 in the hole.

Many social media users pointed out the extra salary could allow many people to erase their debt in just a few years, and put them miles ahead on their financial goals.

So what’s the drawback? For many who weighed in, flexibility is more valuable than money.

Freedom is king

Some people in the debate acknowledged that the choice isn’t easy for parents with young children, or those who have extenuating circumstances that make in-office work difficult to manage.

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Flexibility is also a higher priority than some of the more money-focused debaters may think. A report from Youngstown State University showed that 55% of Americans who currently work full-time and in-person would accept a pay cut in exchange for permanent remote or hybrid role (3). The average pay cut in-person employees would accept is 11% for remote or hybrid work.

Two in five workers (38%) reported turning down a job offer in the past due to lack of flexibility. Fully remote employees also seem to feel better about their jobs: 36% feel inspired while working, compared with 35% of hybrid employees and 27% of fully in-person workers.

For some, it seems, mental health is more valuable than additional financial stability.

How realistic is this debate, anyway?

While social media users extoll the virtues of a nearly quarter million salary, or claim they could get along with a lower six-figure income just fine, the reality is they’re juggling dollars many of them don’t have. The median household income was $83,730 in 2024, according to the Census Bureau.

Those who work in-office also have to factor in the extra costs of commuting, which may include an auto loan, car insurance and gasoline. Parents may need to secure some form of child care while they’re away. For employees who decide to live close to the office, housing may be more expensive if the company operates in a city’s downtown core.

Let’s not also forget, a bigger salary also means a portion of your income would be subject to a higher tax bracket. So, the take-home pay wouldn’t truly be double.

In sum, the devil is in the details where this debate is concerned. A single city dweller may find it easy to commute to the office each day without a major lifestyle change, but a parent living in a rural area who has to spend hours per day commuting, on top of paying for child care, may find much of the extra cash gets eaten up with the extra bills the lifestyle entails.

Making the call for your career

If you’re ever in a position to choose between either side of the debate, be sure to crunch the numbers and understand clearly how different your take-home pay might be. When you factor in all the expenses, some families may find themselves not so farther ahead after all if they choose the in-office lifestyle.

Whether you ultimately opt for the high salary or not, any extra funds should be used responsibly. Be sure you budget appropriately so that your new wealth really puts you in a more financially healthy place.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

@Tinx (1); Experian (2); Youngstown State University (3)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Money”