How does the salary calculator work?

Enter your current city, your monthly net salary, and a target city. We compare the cost-of-living basket between the two cities and tell you the equivalent salary that would maintain your purchasing power.

The "annual gross" figure assumes a flat 25% effective tax rate. Real taxes vary by country, residence status, and income bracket — use the number as a starting point, not a tax filing.

What's a "comfortable baseline" lifestyle?

It maps to the median basket on each city page: a one-bedroom apartment, utilities, a monthly transit pass, groceries for one, and a modest dining-out budget.

Why doesn't my salary keep up in a more expensive city?

Costs scale faster than salaries in many markets — especially housing. If the calculator shows a shortfall, you'd need a higher salary or a smaller basket (e.g. shared rent, less dining out) to break even.

Salary Calculator

Find out what salary you need to live comfortably in any of 1,003 cities, and what your current paycheck would buy you somewhere else. All inputs and outputs are in USD.

From: your current city Your current monthly net salary (USD) Household

To: target city Lifestyle in target city

You need at least

$0 /mo

Annual gross (25% tax)

Equivalent of your salary in target city

$0 /mo

Maintains your current purchasing power.

Gap vs your current pay

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Quick comparisons

Frequently asked questions

How does the salary calculator work?: Enter your current city, your monthly net salary, and a target city. We compare the cost-of-living basket between the two cities and tell you the equivalent salary that would maintain your purchasing power.
What about taxes?: The "annual gross" figure assumes a flat 25% effective tax rate. Real taxes vary by country, residence status, and income bracket — use the number as a starting point, not a tax filing.
What's a "comfortable baseline" lifestyle?: It maps to the median basket on each city page: a one-bedroom apartment, utilities, a monthly transit pass, groceries for one, and a modest dining-out budget.
Why doesn't my salary keep up in a more expensive city?: Costs scale faster than salaries in many markets — especially housing. If the calculator shows a shortfall, you'd need a higher salary or a smaller basket (e.g. shared rent, less dining out) to break even.