Planning for your future career is about more than choosing a job you enjoy—it’s also important to understand how your career choices connect to your financial goals. Texas Reality Check is a free online tool developed by the Texas Workforce Commission that helps students estimate the cost of their desired lifestyle and determine the salary needed to support it.

Through an interactive Lifestyle Calculator, students can explore real-world expenses such as housing, transportation, food, entertainment, and other monthly costs. Based on these selections, the tool calculates the income needed to maintain that lifestyle and matches users with careers that offer similar earning potential.

Students can also use the Occupation Calculator to research careers, compare salaries, explore education requirements, and learn about employment opportunities across Texas. This makes Texas Reality Check a valuable resource for connecting career exploration with financial planning and informed decision-making.

Whether you are deciding on a major, exploring career options, or planning for life after graduation, Texas Reality Check can help you better understand the relationship between your career goals and the lifestyle you want to achieve.

Access Texas Reality Check: https://texasrealitycheck.com/

Ready to begin? Follow the documents and instructions below to get started and explore how your future career can support your lifestyle goals.