The Best City for You: How to Compare Salaries, Rent, and Lifestyle Like a Pro
Choosing where to live or move isn't just about sunshine or job titles. It's about total life fit—and the smartest expats, nomads, and professionals compare salary, rent, and lifestyle before making the leap.
Here’s how to use a city comparison tool (like ours) to find the best city for you—financially, practically, and personally.
Step 1: Look Beyond Gross Salary
Sure, $100K in London sounds great—until rent, taxes, and train fares eat half of it.
Use our tool to compare net salaries across cities. We factor in:
- Local income tax and social contributions
- Average industry wages (tech, healthcare, etc.)
- Currency and inflation adjustments
Pro tip: Compare salaries in USD, EUR, or your home currency for clean, apples-to-apples math.
Step 2: Understand Rent + Living Costs
Rent is your biggest monthly expense. Our data shows:
| City | Avg. 1BR (Central) | Monthly Groceries | Transit Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | $1,150 | $250 | $45 |
| Berlin | $1,350 | $300 | $90 |
| Toronto | $1,700 | $400 | $110 |
| Bali | $550 (villa) | $180 | $30 (scooter) |
Watch out for:
- Cities with low salaries but high rent (e.g., Barcelona)
- Cities with cheap rent but few remote jobs (e.g., Eastern Europe)
Step 3: Filter for Lifestyle Priorities
What does “best” mean for you?
Choose a city based on what actually matters in your daily life:
| If you value... | Try comparing... |
|---|---|
| Warm winters | Dubai vs. Lisbon vs. Miami |
| Public healthcare | Toronto vs. Berlin vs. Melbourne |
| Low cost, creative vibe | Tbilisi vs. Mexico City vs. Sofia |
| Fast internet & coworking | Tallinn vs. Kuala Lumpur vs. Tokyo |
Our tool includes filters for:
- Climate
- Safety scores
- Healthcare quality
- Remote work access
- Visa friendliness
Step 4: Compare Visa Paths and Work Rights
Don’t fall in love with a city until you know you can stay.
Our visa filters help you compare:
- Digital nomad visas
- Freelancer/residency options
- PR and citizenship pathways
Example: You may not need a visa at all in Georgia, but need proof of income for Portugal.
Step 5: See Total Take-Home vs. Cost
Use our “life balance calculator” to visualize:
- Net monthly income
- Total fixed costs (rent, transport, insurance)
- % you can save (or spend freely)
For example:
Lisbon: Earn $3,500 → Spend $2,100 → Save 40%
London: Earn $4,700 → Spend $4,000 → Save <15%
Final Tip: Build a Comparison Shortlist
You don’t need to pick one city right away.
Use the tool to build a shortlist of 3–5 cities, then research:
- Culture fit (social, language, values)
- Dealbreakers (visa, pets, schools, etc.)
- Try-before-you-commit travel (1-month test run)
TL;DR
Choosing your city = choosing your quality of life.
Use a smart comparison tool to:
- See where your salary stretches furthest
- Avoid cost-of-living traps
- Find the place that fits your goals—not just your paycheck
Try our city comparison tool now and get your shortlist in under 2 minutes.