Take Home Pay Around the World: Where You Keep the Most After Taxes
When it comes to global salaries, what you earn isn’t nearly as important as what you keep.
Take-home pay—the amount you actually receive after taxes and mandatory contributions—can vary massively between countries with similar gross salaries.
In this article, we explore how much income workers really keep in different cities and regions, and which places offer the best bang for your salary.
What Is Take-Home Pay?
Take-home pay = Gross salary – Income tax – Social security/benefits
It’s your real, spendable monthly income—and the clearest picture of your financial life.
Why It Varies So Much
- Income tax rates: Progressive in places like Germany, flat or 0% in others like Georgia or UAE
- Social contributions: Some countries deduct 10–20% for healthcare, pensions, etc.
- Local benefits: In higher-tax countries, take-home pay may be lower—but benefits like public healthcare and schooling offset it
Global Take-Home Pay Comparison (2025)
| City | Gross Salary (USD) | Net Salary (USD) | Tax Rate Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $100,000 | ~$70,000 | ~30% |
| Berlin | $85,000 | ~$50,000 | ~41% |
| Lisbon | $70,000 | ~$47,000 | ~33% |
| Dubai | $80,000 | ~$80,000 | 0% |
| Tbilisi | $60,000 | ~$58,800 | 1% (freelancer regime) |
| Singapore | $85,000 | ~$72,000 | ~15% |
| Toronto | $90,000 | ~$61,000 | ~32% |
Note: Figures are approximate and assume single individuals with no dependents.
Where You Keep the Most
| Country | Take-Home % | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | ~98% | Freelancers, remote workers |
| UAE | 100% | Full-time workers with housing perks |
| Singapore | ~85% | Tech, finance professionals |
| Bulgaria | ~82% | EU residents, developers, creatives |
| Portugal (NHR) | ~80% | Remote workers using NHR scheme |
These places offer low or flat tax regimes, especially for digital workers or foreign income earners.
High-Tax Countries With Strong Benefits
| Country | Take-Home % | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | ~59% | Universal healthcare, pension |
| France | ~60% | Healthcare, unemployment, daycare |
| Denmark | ~55% | World-class public services |
| Canada | ~68% | Healthcare, education |
Higher tax doesn’t always mean worse—if you benefit from robust services, the trade-off might be worth it.
The Role of Remote Work
For remote workers, your take-home pay can be optimized by:
- Earning from a high-paying country
- Living in a low-tax location
- Using freelancer or territorial tax regimes
Example:
Earning $90K from a U.S. company while living in Tbilisi or Bali can double your monthly surplus vs. living in San Francisco or London.
Final Takeaway
Don’t be fooled by flashy salary numbers—take-home pay is what really counts.
Whether you're negotiating a job offer, considering a move abroad, or freelancing remotely, knowing how much you’ll keep is key to making smart life and money choices.
Use our salary comparison tool to calculate your take-home pay across dozens of global cities.