What Is a Good Salary in [City]? 2026 Guide for 50 Major Cities

Whether you are relocating for a new role, negotiating a remote-work salary, or simply wondering how your paycheck stacks up, one question keeps coming back: is my salary actually good for where I live? The answer depends on far more than the number on your offer letter. A six-figure income in San Francisco does not stretch nearly as far as the same amount in Austin, and earning the median wage in Zurich feels very different from earning the median in Bangkok.

This guide breaks down what a "good salary" looks like in more than 30 major cities across four continents in 2026. We cover median household incomes, cost-of-living indexes, and the approximate salary you would need to live comfortably in each location. At the end, we compare how a single benchmark salary of $75,000 USD translates from city to city so you can see where your money goes furthest.

What Does "Good Salary" Actually Mean?

Before diving into numbers, it helps to define terms. People use the phrase "good salary" to mean at least three different things, and conflating them leads to confusion.

• Comfortable living. You can cover rent, food, transportation, healthcare, and still save at least 15-20 percent of your gross income without constant financial stress. This is the most practical definition for most people.
• Above the median. Your salary exceeds the local median household income, meaning you earn more than at least half the population. Being above the median does not automatically mean comfort, especially in high-cost cities where the median itself may be barely enough.
• Top-quartile income. You are in the 75th percentile or higher for your city. At this level, you are comfortably ahead of most residents, can afford discretionary spending, and are building meaningful long-term wealth.

Throughout this guide we focus primarily on the comfortable-living threshold because it is the most actionable metric. We define it as: covering a one-bedroom apartment in a safe, reasonably central neighborhood; groceries and dining out a few times a month; local transportation; health insurance (where not publicly funded); utilities and internet; a modest entertainment budget; and consistent savings of around 20 percent of gross pay.

Our Methodology

All figures are presented in 2026 USD unless otherwise noted. To arrive at each city's numbers we used the following framework:

1. Median salary data drawn from national statistical offices, OECD reports, and localized labor-market surveys updated through Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.
2. Cost of Living Index (COLI) normalized so that New York City equals 100. A COLI of 80 means a city is roughly 20 percent cheaper than NYC on a basket of goods that includes housing, food, transportation, and utilities.
3. Comfortable-living salary modeled as 1.4 times the cost of a standard living basket for a single adult in each city, ensuring the 20-percent savings buffer mentioned above.
4. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) adjustments applied where useful to normalize cross-country comparisons beyond simple exchange rates.

No single data source is perfect, so we cross-referenced multiple indexes including Numbeo, Mercer, the Economist Intelligence Unit, and UBS's Prices and Earnings report. Where sources diverged significantly, we noted the range rather than a single point estimate. Exchange rates are based on January 2026 averages.

North America

North American cities show an enormous spread in living costs. The gap between an expensive coastal metro and a mid-tier Southern city can be 40 to 60 percent, yet salaries do not always scale proportionally. Here is a closer look at ten key markets.

New York City, USA

New York is the baseline city for our index at COLI 100. The median household income in the five boroughs sits around $74,000. However, a single professional needs roughly $95,000-$110,000 to live comfortably in Manhattan or the more popular parts of Brooklyn, factoring in average rents above $3,200 for a one-bedroom. High state and city income taxes (combined marginal rates can exceed 12 percent on top of federal) eat into take-home pay significantly. If your salary is north of $120,000, you are squarely in the comfortable zone. Below $85,000, you will likely need roommates or a longer commute.

San Francisco, USA

COLI: 105. SF is slightly more expensive than NYC on housing, though other categories are comparable. The median household income is about $121,000, one of the highest in the country, driven by the concentration of tech workers. To live comfortably as a single adult, plan on at least $110,000-$125,000. California's state income tax tops out above 13 percent, which shaves a meaningful amount off high earners' take-home pay. Rents have moderated slightly from their 2022 peaks but a decent one-bedroom still runs $2,800-$3,500 depending on the neighborhood.

Los Angeles, USA

COLI: 88. LA is expensive but not quite at NYC or SF levels. The metro median household income is approximately $76,000. Comfortable living for a single professional starts around $85,000-$95,000. The city is car-dependent, which adds insurance, gas, and maintenance costs that public-transit cities avoid. One-bedroom rents in desirable areas like West Hollywood or Santa Monica range from $2,200-$2,900.

Chicago, USA

COLI: 72. Chicago offers a genuine big-city experience at a significant discount to the coasts. Median household income is about $65,000. A single professional can live comfortably on $70,000-$80,000, with one-bedroom rents in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park or Lakeview running $1,600-$2,100. Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95 percent, which is more moderate than California or New York.

Miami, USA

COLI: 80. Miami has seen enormous cost growth in recent years, driven by domestic migration and international investment. The median household income is around $55,000, which is notably low relative to the cost of living. Comfortable living now requires roughly $80,000-$90,000. Florida's lack of a state income tax is a real advantage, effectively giving residents a five to thirteen percent raise compared to the same gross salary in a high-tax state.

Austin, USA

COLI: 68. Austin remains popular with tech workers and remote employees. Median household income is about $75,000, and comfortable living starts around $70,000-$78,000. Like the rest of Texas, there is no state income tax, though property taxes are among the highest in the nation. One-bedroom rents in central Austin average $1,500-$1,900.

Seattle, USA

COLI: 88. Seattle shares a tech-driven economy with SF but at a somewhat lower price point. Median household income is approximately $105,000. Comfortable single-person living starts around $90,000-$100,000. Washington State has no income tax, which is a substantial advantage that partially offsets higher housing costs. One-bedroom rents average $2,000-$2,600.

Boston, USA

COLI: 90. The biotech and university ecosystem drives strong salaries. Median household income sits at about $82,000, and comfortable living requires $90,000-$105,000. Massachusetts has a flat 5 percent income tax plus a millionaire surtax. One-bedroom rents in central neighborhoods like Back Bay or Cambridge range from $2,400-$3,100.

Toronto, Canada

COLI: 74 (in USD terms). Toronto is Canada's financial hub with a median household income of approximately CAD 84,000 (~$61,000 USD). To live comfortably as a single person, you need around CAD 85,000-$95,000 (~$62,000-$69,000 USD). Canada's progressive federal-plus-provincial tax rates mean effective rates of 25-30 percent in this income range. One-bedroom rents downtown average CAD 2,400-$2,800.

Vancouver, Canada

COLI: 76. Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in Canada, particularly for housing. Median household income is about CAD 78,000 (~$57,000 USD). Comfortable living requires roughly CAD 90,000-$100,000 (~$66,000-$73,000 USD). The gap between median income and comfortable living is wide, making Vancouver notoriously difficult for young professionals without household dual incomes or family support.

Europe

European cities benefit from publicly funded healthcare and strong public transit, which can reduce certain living costs. However, higher income-tax rates and social contributions cut into gross salaries. It is essential to compare net pay, not just gross figures, when evaluating European positions.

London, UK

COLI: 92. London is Europe's most expensive major city. Median individual salary is approximately £38,000 (~$48,000 USD). Comfortable living for a single person requires around £50,000-$58,000 (~$63,000-$73,000 USD). The UK's income tax plus National Insurance contributions create an effective rate of about 30 percent at the comfortable-living threshold. One-bedroom rents in Zones 1-2 run £1,600-£2,200 per month.

Paris, France

COLI: 82. Paris offers world-class culture and infrastructure at a somewhat lower price than London. Median salary in the metro area is approximately €35,000 (~$38,000 USD) net after social charges. Comfortable living requires about €42,000-$48,000 net (~$45,000-$52,000 USD). France's social charges are high (employer and employee combined can exceed 60 percent of gross), which is why the gap between gross and net is much larger than in the US. One-bedroom rents in central arrondissements average €1,200-€1,700.

Berlin, Germany

COLI: 65. Berlin has long been one of Western Europe's most affordable capitals, though it has been catching up. Median gross salary is about €42,000 (~$45,500 USD). Comfortable living requires roughly €45,000-$50,000 gross (~$49,000-$54,000 USD). Germany's combined income tax, solidarity surcharge, and social contributions claim 35-40 percent of gross salary. One-bedroom rents have risen sharply to €1,000-€1,400 in central areas.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

COLI: 76. Amsterdam offers a high quality of life with excellent cycling infrastructure and public transport. Median gross salary is about €44,000 (~$47,600 USD). Comfortable living requires approximately €48,000-$55,000 gross (~$52,000-$60,000 USD). The Netherlands' 30-percent ruling for expats can dramatically reduce tax burdens for qualifying international hires, making it a popular destination for relocated tech workers. One-bedroom rents average €1,400-€1,800.

Dublin, Ireland

COLI: 78. Dublin's tech hub status has pushed salaries higher while housing supply has struggled to keep pace. Median salary is approximately €44,000 (~$47,600 USD). Comfortable living requires about €50,000-$58,000 (~$54,000-$63,000 USD). Ireland's income-tax and social-insurance system produces effective rates of 30-35 percent at these income levels. One-bedroom rents in the city center average €1,800-€2,200, making housing the dominant expense.

Munich, Germany

COLI: 78. Munich is considerably more expensive than Berlin. Median gross salary is about €52,000 (~$56,300 USD), reflecting the strong presence of automotive and tech companies. Comfortable living requires approximately €55,000-$62,000 gross (~$60,000-$67,000 USD). One-bedroom rents in central neighborhoods range from €1,300-€1,800.

Copenhagen, Denmark

COLI: 84. Copenhagen is expensive by any measure, but Denmark's comprehensive welfare system reduces out-of-pocket costs for healthcare, education, and childcare. Median salary is about DKK 42,000/month (~$73,000 USD/year). Comfortable living requires roughly DKK 38,000-$45,000/month (~$66,000-$78,000 USD/year). Danish income tax rates are among the highest globally (38-52 percent marginal), but many find the trade-off worthwhile given the quality of public services.

Stockholm, Sweden

COLI: 76. Stockholm balances Scandinavian quality of life with more moderate costs than Copenhagen. Median salary is approximately SEK 38,000/month (~$44,000 USD/year). Comfortable living requires about SEK 40,000-$46,000/month (~$46,000-$53,000 USD/year). Swedish tax rates are 30-55 percent depending on income bracket. One-bedroom rents in central Stockholm range from SEK 10,000-14,000 per month.

Lisbon, Portugal

COLI: 52. Lisbon has become a magnet for digital nomads and remote workers thanks to the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime (though recently reformed) and low living costs relative to Western European peers. Median salary is approximately €18,000 (~$19,500 USD), which is low by Western standards. Comfortable living for someone earning in foreign currency requires about €28,000-$35,000 (~$30,000-$38,000 USD). One-bedroom rents in central Lisbon average €900-€1,300, having risen significantly over the past three years.

Barcelona, Spain

COLI: 56. Barcelona combines Mediterranean lifestyle with reasonable costs, though local salaries are modest. Median salary is approximately €27,000 (~$29,200 USD). Comfortable living requires about €32,000-$38,000 (~$34,600-$41,100 USD). Spain's income-tax rates vary by autonomous community but typically produce effective rates of 25-30 percent at these levels. One-bedroom rents in the Eixample or Gracia neighborhoods average €1,000-€1,400.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region contains perhaps the widest spread of any global region, from ultra-expensive city-states like Singapore and Hong Kong to extremely affordable cities in Southeast Asia. Currency dynamics, expat packages, and local-hire versus international-hire distinctions play a bigger role here than in Western markets.

Singapore

COLI: 91. Singapore is consistently ranked among the world's most expensive cities, particularly for housing and car ownership. Median monthly household income is about SGD 10,000 (~$89,000 USD/year). Comfortable single-person living requires roughly SGD 7,000-$8,500/month (~$63,000-$76,000 USD/year). Singapore's tax system is famously low, with effective rates of 5-15 percent for most professionals, making it significantly more tax-efficient than comparable cities. One-bedroom rents in the central region average SGD 2,500-3,200.

Tokyo, Japan

COLI: 74. Tokyo is large enough that costs vary dramatically by ward. Median salary is approximately ¥5.2 million (~$34,500 USD). Comfortable living requires about ¥6-7 million (~$40,000-$46,500 USD). Japan's combined income tax and social insurance contributions produce effective rates of 20-30 percent. One-bedroom rents in central wards like Shibuya or Minato average ¥120,000-180,000 (~$800-$1,200), which is remarkably affordable for a city of Tokyo's stature.

Sydney, Australia

COLI: 82. Sydney is Australia's most expensive city, particularly for housing. Median salary is about AUD 70,000 (~$46,000 USD). Comfortable living requires roughly AUD 85,000-$100,000 (~$56,000-$66,000 USD). Australia's progressive tax rates produce effective rates of 25-32 percent at these levels. One-bedroom rents in inner suburbs average AUD 2,400-3,000 per month.

Hong Kong

COLI: 94. Hong Kong's housing market is legendary for its expense, with tiny apartments commanding enormous rents. Median monthly income is about HKD 20,000 (~$31,000 USD/year). Comfortable living for a single professional requires roughly HKD 35,000-$45,000/month (~$54,000-$69,000 USD/year). Hong Kong's tax system is very favorable, with a standard rate of 15 percent and no capital gains tax. One-bedroom rents in mid-levels or Wan Chai average HKD 16,000-22,000.

Dubai, UAE

COLI: 73. Dubai attracts professionals with its zero-income-tax policy. Median salary for white-collar expats is approximately AED 20,000-$25,000/month (~$65,000-$82,000 USD/year). Comfortable single-person living requires around AED 18,000-$23,000/month (~$59,000-$75,000 USD/year). The absence of income tax is a major advantage, though costs for schooling, healthcare (often employer-provided), and housing should be evaluated carefully. One-bedroom rents in popular areas like Dubai Marina or Downtown average AED 6,000-9,000.

Bangkok, Thailand

COLI: 38. Bangkok is dramatically cheaper than Western cities while offering a cosmopolitan lifestyle. The median local salary is about THB 25,000/month (~$8,600 USD/year), but expats and remote workers earning Western salaries enjoy extraordinary purchasing power. Comfortable living on a Western standard requires roughly THB 60,000-$80,000/month (~$20,500-$27,400 USD/year). One-bedroom rents for modern condos in Sukhumvit or Silom average THB 15,000-25,000 (~$430-$720).

Bali, Indonesia

COLI: 32. Bali has become the quintessential digital-nomad destination. Local median income is very low (around IDR 4-5 million/month, ~$3,800 USD/year), but the relevant metric for most readers is the comfortable-living cost on a Western standard: approximately $1,800-$2,500 USD/month ($21,600-$30,000/year). This covers a modern villa or apartment, coworking space, dining out frequently, and motorbike rental. Indonesia's tax situation for digital nomads is evolving, so staying current on visa and tax regulations is important.

How $75,000 USD Translates Across Cities

To make this concrete, let us take a single salary of $75,000 USD and see how far it goes in each city. The table below shows the approximate equivalent purchasing power, the COLI, and whether this salary reaches the comfortable-living threshold we defined earlier.

Key takeaway: at $75,000 USD, you can live comfortably in the majority of global cities outside the most expensive US coastal metros and a few ultra-premium international cities. The purchasing-power multiplier is dramatic once you move to Southeast Asia or Southern Europe.

Tax Considerations That Change Everything

Gross salary comparisons are misleading without accounting for taxes. A $100,000 salary does not produce the same take-home pay in every jurisdiction. Here are the key tax dynamics to keep in mind:

• Zero-tax jurisdictions (Dubai, parts of the Caribbean) let you keep your entire gross salary, which is functionally equivalent to a 20-40 percent raise compared to high-tax countries.
• US state tax variation matters enormously. Moving from California (13.3 percent top rate) to Texas or Florida (zero percent) can save a six-figure earner $10,000 or more annually in state taxes alone.
• European social charges are often invisible because employers pay a large portion, but they reduce what employers can offer in gross salary. When comparing a US offer to a European one, remember that the European package often includes healthcare, generous leave, and pension contributions that would cost thousands out of pocket in the US.
• Tax treaties and totalization agreements between countries prevent double taxation for most expats but create compliance complexity. Budget $500-$2,000 annually for cross-border tax preparation if you are working internationally.
• Special expat regimes in countries like the Netherlands (30-percent ruling), Portugal (recently reformed NHR), and Italy (Impatriati regime) can significantly reduce your effective tax rate for a fixed number of years. These programs are specifically designed to attract foreign talent and can make certain cities much more financially attractive than their base tax rates would suggest.

Always compare net take-home pay rather than gross salary when evaluating offers across different countries. A lower gross offer in a low-tax jurisdiction can result in higher take-home pay than a bigger number in a high-tax country.

Beyond the Numbers: Quality-of-Life Factors

Salary and cost of living do not capture everything. Several intangible factors can make a lower-salary city feel richer than the numbers suggest:

• Commute time. Cities with efficient public transit (Tokyo, Copenhagen, Singapore) save you hours each week compared to car-dependent metros (LA, Miami, Houston). That time has real economic and well-being value.
• Healthcare. In countries with universal coverage, you can remove a major US expense category from your budget. Employer-sponsored health insurance in the US costs $7,000-$22,000 per year for an individual, and often more for families.
• Climate and environment. This is entirely personal, but access to nature, air quality, and weather can make the same salary feel very different. Barcelona at €38,000 might feel richer than London at £55,000 depending on what you value.
• Career trajectory. Some cities offer steeper salary growth curves or more exit opportunities. Taking a lower initial salary in SF or NYC might be worth it if the five-year earnings trajectory is significantly better.
• Social infrastructure. Parental leave, subsidized childcare, free university education, and strong labor protections in many European countries represent tens of thousands of dollars in annual value that never show up in a salary comparison.

How to Use This Data for Your Own Decision

Here is a practical framework for applying these numbers to your situation:

1. Start with net income. Use a tax calculator for each country or city you are comparing. Work from gross salary down to monthly take-home pay after all taxes and mandatory contributions.
2. Subtract fixed costs. Estimate rent, utilities, transportation, health insurance (if applicable), and any debt payments. The city profiles above provide rent ranges.
3. Calculate your savings rate. If you can save 20 percent or more of your gross income after covering fixed and variable costs, you are in the "comfortable" zone for that city.
4. Factor in benefits. Stock options, bonuses, employer retirement matching, health insurance, and relocation packages can add 20-50 percent on top of base salary. European benefits packages (pension, leave, healthcare) often add 30-40 percent in implicit value even if the gross number looks lower.
5. Consider your time horizon. If you plan to stay somewhere for only two years versus ten years, different factors matter. Short stays favor high-salary locations where you can save aggressively. Long stays favor places where quality of life and career growth align.

Final Thoughts

There is no universal answer to the question of what constitutes a good salary. An income that provides comfort in Berlin might leave you struggling in San Francisco. What matters is the relationship between your earnings, your local cost of living, your tax burden, and your personal priorities.

The most important insight from comparing salaries across 30+ cities is this: where you live is itself a financial decision as significant as your career choice. A software engineer earning $120,000 in San Francisco and a software engineer earning $70,000 in Lisbon might end up with similar savings rates and dramatically different day-to-day quality of life. Neither choice is objectively better. But you should make that choice intentionally, with clear numbers in front of you.

If you are evaluating a relocation, a remote-work arrangement, or simply curious about how your current salary compares, run the numbers through salary:converter to see exactly how your compensation translates to any city in the world. The answer might surprise you.