Cost of Living Showdown: Where Your Salary Goes Furthest in 2025
In today's increasingly remote-friendly world, your city of residence can have a bigger impact on your quality of life than your actual salary.
If you're earning $60,000 in Berlin vs. $60,000 in Bangkok, the number may be the same—but your lifestyle could be wildly different. That’s because taxes, rent, and essential costs vary dramatically from one city to the next.
Let’s dig into where your take-home pay stretches the furthest in 2025—and where your hard-earned money disappears fast.
What We Compared
We chose 8 international cities spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, and compared the following:
- Average Gross Annual Salary (converted to USD)
- Net Take-Home Pay after taxes
- Average Monthly Rent (1BR, city center)
- Monthly Core Expenses (utilities, transport, groceries)
- Real Disposable Income (what’s left after basic living)
All figures represent single professionals with no dependents and are based on 2025 exchange rates and tax rates.
Cost of Living Breakdown (2025)
| City | Gross Salary | Net Salary | Rent (1BR) | Other Costs | Disposable Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $85,000 | $62,000 | $3,500 | $1,800 | ~$700/month |
| Amsterdam | $65,000 | $43,000 | $2,100 | $1,500 | ~$700/month |
| Tokyo | $55,000 | $43,000 | $1,500 | $1,100 | ~$1,600/month |
| Mexico City | $30,000 | $25,000 | $800 | $600 | ~$1,350/month |
| Lisbon | $40,000 | $29,000 | $1,100 | $900 | ~$1,100/month |
| Dubai | $75,000 | $75,000 | $2,500 | $1,200 | ~$3,200/month |
| Bangkok | $35,000 | $30,000 | $700 | $650 | ~$1,600/month |
| São Paulo | $28,000 | $21,000 | $650 | $500 | ~$1,000/month |
The Winners: Cities Where You Keep the Most
If you're looking for places where your salary really works for you, consider:
1. Dubai, UAE
- 0% income tax makes a huge difference.
- With high salaries and relatively affordable rent, Dubai tops our list.
- Professionals can often bank over $3,000/month after expenses.
2. Bangkok, Thailand
- Rent and groceries are among the cheapest in the world’s capitals.
- Even with a modest salary, you can save more than in NYC or Amsterdam.
3. Tokyo, Japan
- Surprisingly high net income after taxes and reasonable rent.
- Efficient transport and moderate living costs add to the savings potential.
The Struggles: Where Money Gets Tight
Even with high salaries, some cities sap your finances:
New York City
- A high gross salary gets cut nearly in half by taxes and housing.
- Net monthly savings? Often less than $700/month.
Amsterdam
- Tax-heavy with steadily rising rent.
- Hard for mid-range earners to save significantly.
Best for Remote Workers
Remote earners who are paid in USD or EUR but live in lower-cost cities are in the best position.
Imagine this:
- A graphic designer earning $60,000/year from a U.S. company lives in Bangkok.
- Their annual take-home is $45,000.
- After rent and living costs (~$1,350/month), they’re saving over $2,900/month.
Now compare that to living in Amsterdam or New York, where savings could be close to zero.
The Visa Question: Where Can You Actually Move?
Of course, it’s not just about cost—it’s about access.
Use our Visa Eligibility Tool to find out where you're allowed to live, work, or retire based on your passport, profession, and finances.
Tools to Plan Your Move
Before you pack your bags:
- Use our City Comparison Tool to weigh any two cities side by side.
- Try the Take-Home Pay Calculator to see your real earnings after tax in your target city.
Final Thoughts
Your salary number means nothing in isolation. What matters is what’s left after taxes, rent, and essential costs.
By choosing a city with low taxes, reasonable rents, and affordable living, you could double or triple your real-world savings—even without changing jobs.
Whether you're chasing FIRE, building a runway for your startup, or just want more freedom, relocating might be the smartest financial move you make this year.