As you said, there are exceptions. I accepted my current employer's counter offer which was less than the new job. I'm still here over three years later and hav

As you said, there are exceptions. I accepted my current employer's counter offer which was less than the new job. I'm still here over three years later and have been promoted and am dramatically over what the original offer from the other employer was. It worked out doubly well for me as the other employer later folded and my equity at my current employer has been life changing. You have to evaluate the reasons for why you would leave or stay beyond just a paycheck.