Free Job Relocation Budget calculator with clear step-by-step results.
Temporary housing is usually the largest single line in a relocation and the one most often underestimated, because finding a permanent home in an unfamiliar city routinely takes longer than planned. Netting the employer allowance off shows what you are actually funding yourself.
Gross cost
Gross = moving + weeks x weekly housing + deposit and fees + house-hunting trips
Out of pocket
Net = gross relocation cost - employer allowance
Often partly or wholly, depending on jurisdiction and whether costs are reimbursed against receipts or paid as a lump sum. Ask for the tax treatment in writing before accepting.
Four to eight weeks is realistic in a tight rental market, and longer if you are buying. Negotiating the duration rather than the amount is usually the more valuable ask.