Where Does Your Salary Go? Comparing Take-Home Pay in 10 Global Cities
It’s not how much you earn that matters—it’s how much you keep.
Your salary might sound impressive on paper, but the real question is: how much of it ends up in your bank account after taxes, rent, and basic living costs?
In this article, we compare take-home pay and essential living costs across 10 global cities to show you where your income stretches—and where it disappears.
What We’re Comparing
We looked at:
- Net salary after tax
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment (central)
- Estimated core living expenses (groceries, utilities, transport)
- Monthly savings potential
This paints a clear picture of which cities deliver the best lifestyle-per-dollar.
City-by-City Breakdown (2025)
| City | Net Salary | Rent (1BR) | Other Costs | Savings Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $7,400 | $3,300 | $2,000 | ~$2,100 |
| Berlin | $3,200 | $1,350 | $1,200 | ~$650 |
| Tbilisi | $2,000 | $450 | $800 | ~$750 |
| Singapore | $6,500 | $3,000 | $1,600 | ~$1,900 |
| Buenos Aires | $2,100 | $350 | $750 | ~$1,000 |
| Toronto | $3,400 | $1,700 | $1,400 | ~$300 |
| Lisbon | $3,200 | $1,150 | $1,000 | ~$1,050 |
| Dubai | $5,600 | $2,500 | $1,200 | ~$1,900 |
| London | $4,700 | $2,600 | $1,300 | ~$800 |
| Kuala Lumpur | $2,900 | $600 | $900 | ~$1,400 |
All figures are estimated monthly averages in USD, for single adults with no dependents.
Where You Keep the Most
The biggest take-home value often comes from lower taxes + lower rent, not just a high salary.
Top 3 Cities by Savings Potential:
- Singapore – $1,900/month left after rent & essentials
- Dubai – $1,900/month, thanks to 0% income tax
- Kuala Lumpur – $1,400/month with affordable housing and services
Where You Lose the Most
In high-rent, high-tax cities, even strong salaries get squeezed.
Cities with the Lowest Net Savings:
- Toronto – Just ~$300 left per month
- Berlin – ~$650, with heavy taxation and rising rent
- London – ~$800, despite mid-range salary
Why Tbilisi and Buenos Aires Stand Out
While their salaries are lower, the cost of living is so minimal that remote workers earning in USD or EUR can save more than they would in the West.
Example:
- A digital marketer earning $4,000/month remotely and living in Tbilisi could save over $2,500/month.
What You Can Do with the Info
- Relocating? Use this to find cities where your net income buys more lifestyle.
- Negotiating remote pay? Factor in where your team is vs. where you live.
- Planning for FIRE or sabbatical? Cities like KL, Tbilisi, and Lisbon let you bank more in less time.
Final Takeaway
A six-figure salary isn’t impressive if you’re left with scraps after rent and tax.
Smart earners focus on net gain, not just gross pay.
Use our comparison tool to check where your salary goes furthest—and see how your city stacks up.