The Truth About Global Salaries: What Your Paycheck Really Gets You Abroad
$80,000 in San Francisco is not the same as $80,000 in Tbilisi.
Yet global salaries are often compared in isolation—without looking at what they actually buy you.
In 2025, understanding your real earning power means going beyond gross pay. It’s about how much you keep, what it buys, and where it goes furthest.
Let’s unpack the global salary illusion.
Gross Pay vs. Net Power
Your offer letter may look great—but how much of that salary:
- Goes to taxes?
- Gets lost in rent and transport?
- Leaves room to save or enjoy life?
Example: $70K Salary in 3 Cities
| City | Gross Salary | Net Monthly | Rent (1BR) | Savings Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | $70,000 | ~$4,200 | $2,600 | ~$800 |
| Lisbon | $70,000 | ~$4,500 | $1,150 | ~$1,700 |
| Tbilisi | $70,000 | ~$5,400 | $450 | ~$2,800 |
The same $70K goes a lot further when you account for taxes and rent.
What Impacts Take-Home Value the Most?
-
Taxation
- Countries like Georgia, Bulgaria, and the UAE offer flat or 0% income tax on foreign income
- Western Europe typically deducts 30–45% from gross pay
-
Cost of Rent
- Rent eats the largest share of income in most global cities
- A $2,000/month rent in NYC = 50% of net income for many professionals
-
Healthcare & Insurance
- Employer coverage? Public healthcare? Private plans?
- In places like the U.S., expect to spend $400–$800/month even with coverage
-
Transport, Food & Utilities
- Essentials cost 2–3x more in cities like Zurich or Tokyo compared to Sofia or Kuala Lumpur
High Salary Cities With Low Value
| City | Avg. Net Salary | Rent (1BR) | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $7,400 | $3,300 | ~$1,000 |
| Sydney | $4,000 | $2,100 | ~$500 |
| London | $4,700 | $2,600 | ~$700 |
You earn more—but you don’t keep more.
Cities With Lower Salaries But Higher Value
| City | Net Salary (remote) | Rent (1BR) | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | $3,200 | $1,150 | ~$1,200 |
| Tbilisi | $2,000 | $450 | ~$1,300 |
| Buenos Aires | $2,100 | $350 | ~$1,400 |
These cities let you save more, even on a lower nominal income.
How to Evaluate a Job Offer Globally
- Convert salary to net pay (consider local income tax)
- Research cost of living (housing, food, transport)
- Calculate expected monthly savings
- Factor in lifestyle goals (climate, healthcare, community)
- Use comparison tools to visualize real-world outcomes
Final Advice
Don’t chase the biggest number—chase what the number actually buys.
The real salary champion isn’t the one with the fanciest title or the largest paycheck. It’s the one whose lifestyle, savings, and mental freedom are all paid for—by smart geography.
Use our salary comparison tool to see where your paycheck goes furthest.