How to Compare Salaries Between Cities
When considering a job offer in a different city or country, comparing raw salary numbers can be misleading. A $100,000 salary in Texas provides a very different lifestyle than the same amount in San Francisco. Our comparison tool accounts for taxes, cost of living, and housing costs to give you a realistic picture.
What We Compare
- Net salary: After all applicable federal, state/provincial, and payroll taxes
- Cost of living: Indexed to the US national average (100)
- Average rent: Typical 1-bedroom apartment cost
- Comfort score: How far your salary goes relative to local costs
Popular Salary Comparisons
The most common comparisons involve moves between high-cost and moderate-cost cities. For example, a software engineer earning $180,000 in San Francisco keeps about $128,000 after California taxes, then spends $36,000+ on rent. The same role in Austin, Texas at $150,000 keeps about $116,000 (no state income tax) with $18,000 rent — leaving significantly more disposable income despite the lower headline salary.
International Salary Comparison
Comparing salaries across countries adds complexity: different tax systems, social benefits (healthcare, education, parental leave), and vastly different cost structures. A $60,000 salary in Berlin with Germany's healthcare and education included may provide a similar lifestyle to $100,000 in a US city where you pay for health insurance and save for college.
Factors Beyond Salary
- Tax burden: State/provincial taxes can differ by 0-13% on the same federal salary
- Healthcare costs: US workers spend an average of $6,000-$12,000/year on healthcare
- Public services: Some cities offer better transit, parks, and schools, reducing personal costs
- Remote work policies: Some companies adjust salary by up to 25% based on location