Work Abroad, Save More: Cities Where Expats Keep the Most After Tax

Working abroad can offer more than adventure and new culture—it can seriously upgrade your financial game. But not all cities are created equal when it comes to how much of your paycheck you actually keep. Between income taxes, social security contributions, healthcare costs, and local prices, your gross salary can shrink fast. In this guide, we spotlight cities where expats keep the most of their earnings after tax and essential living costs.

Why Net Take-Home Matters More Than Salary Size

It's easy to be dazzled by six-figure offers in cities like New York, London, or Singapore. But high salaries often come with equally high deductions. What really counts is how much you take home and what that amount buys you locally.

Key factors affecting take-home value:

• Income tax and social contributions
• Cost of healthcare and insurance
• Rent and utility costs
• Local price levels (food, transport, entertainment)

We compared cities where expats report keeping a high percentage of their earnings, even after mandatory deductions and core expenses.

Methodology

Our rankings blend data from the OECD, Numbeo, government tax portals, and expat cost-of-living reports. For each city, we considered:

• Average net salary (after tax)
• Typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment
• Income tax rates for foreign residents
• Mandatory health and pension deductions
• Local price index relative to global averages

We focused on skilled expats earning USD $45,000–100,000 per year, a common range for remote professionals, tech workers, and consultants.

Top 10 Cities Where Expats Keep the Most After Tax

1. Dubai, UAE

• Net Savings Rate: ~75%
• Income Tax: 0%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$5,700
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$1,500

Dubai tops the list thanks to its zero income tax policy. While housing can be expensive, the lack of mandatory social security for foreigners and no tax on global income make it an expat favorite for aggressive saving.

2. Doha, Qatar

• Net Savings Rate: ~72%
• Income Tax: 0%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$5,300
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$1,200

Qatar matches the UAE in tax freedom, but with slightly lower costs across rent and utilities. Utilities are often subsidized for residents. The work visa process is tightly tied to employers, but once in, it’s an excellent place to build wealth.

3. Singapore

• Net Savings Rate: ~65%
• Income Tax: Progressive, capped at ~22%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$6,400
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$2,700

Singapore has relatively low income tax compared to most developed countries. Social contributions for foreigners are minimal, and healthcare is highly efficient. Though rent is steep, groceries and transit are affordable.

4. Zurich, Switzerland

• Net Savings Rate: ~60%
• Income Tax: ~10–15% effective
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$7,200
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$2,300

Switzerland has higher gross salaries than almost anywhere, and Zurich combines this with relatively moderate taxes and social contributions. Health insurance is mandatory but can be optimized with high-deductible plans.

5. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

• Net Savings Rate: ~58%
• Income Tax: ~20–22%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$5,600
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$1,600

Luxembourg is often overlooked but ranks among the best for take-home after rent. Salaries are strong, public transport is free, and utilities are low.

6. Tallinn, Estonia

• Net Savings Rate: ~55%
• Income Tax: Flat 20%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$3,800
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$800

A digital nomad darling, Estonia offers transparent tax rules, a flat income tax, and low rent. Internet is lightning-fast, coworking is cheap, and healthcare is efficient.

7. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Net Savings Rate: ~55%
• Income Tax: 0%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$4,800
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$1,000

While not a lifestyle pick for everyone, Saudi Arabia’s tax-free structure and increasing expat amenities in Riyadh make it a viable savings hub for short-to-medium stints.

8. Sofia, Bulgaria

• Net Savings Rate: ~52%
• Income Tax: Flat 10%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$2,200
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$500

Bulgaria offers one of the lowest tax burdens in the EU. Living costs are low, so even modest salaries stretch far.

9. Vilnius, Lithuania

• Net Savings Rate: ~50%
• Income Tax: 15–20%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$2,400
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$600

Vilnius combines a manageable tax regime with a strong quality of life. Internet, healthcare, and transport are inexpensive and efficient.

10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Net Savings Rate: ~48%
• Income Tax: Progressive, ~10–18%
• Monthly Net Salary: ~$2,900
• Rent (1-bed, central): ~$600

KL’s cost of living is among the lowest in Southeast Asia’s Tier 1 cities. Many foreign remote workers operate tax-free if income is earned offshore.

Honorable Mentions

• Bangalore, India – Tech pay rising, costs still low
• Tbilisi, Georgia – 1% tax for freelancers under small business regime
• Montevideo, Uruguay – Easy residency, low rent, soft tax on offshore income

Final Thoughts

• Gross salary isn’t everything. Focus on net income and spending power.
• Tax rules vary wildly. Target countries with low or no tax on foreign-earned income.
• Remote workers win big in cities with territorial tax or freelancer-friendly rules.

Ready to pick your next financial launchpad? Use our take-home pay calculator to run the numbers—and start planning your global upgrade.