The Best Cities for High Salaries and Low Crime in 2025
Everyone wants a city that’s safe and pays well—but do those two ever go hand in hand?
In 2025, the gap between cities offering high incomes and those offering personal safety is narrowing. Thanks to globalization, digital work, and the rise of remote-friendly tax policies, it’s now possible to chase both a high net salary and a peaceful daily life.
We’ve analyzed global data to find cities that strike the rare balance between strong take-home pay and low crime rates.
What We Looked At
To create this list, we compared cities across these factors:
- Average net salary (after tax)
- Crime Index (lower = safer)
- Cost of living (basic monthly expenses)
- Lifestyle affordability (rent, groceries, transport)
- Overall quality of life
All data reflects current 2025 estimates and is averaged for single professionals.
Top 10 Cities: High Salary, Low Crime (2025)
| City | Net Salary (USD) | Crime Index | Rent (1BR Central) | Estimated Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | $6,500 | 21.3 | $2,400 | ~$2,600 |
| Singapore | $6,800 | 25.9 | $3,000 | ~$1,800 |
| Tokyo | $3,700 | 23.1 | $1,400 | ~$900 |
| Dubai | $5,600 | 16.5 | $2,500 | ~$1,900 |
| Munich | $4,300 | 19.6 | $1,600 | ~$1,000 |
| Helsinki | $4,200 | 22.0 | $1,500 | ~$1,000 |
| Seoul | $3,800 | 26.1 | $1,200 | ~$1,000 |
| Oslo | $4,700 | 35.4 | $1,700 | ~$1,200 |
| Taipei | $2,900 | 15.7 | $800 | ~$1,000 |
| Ljubljana | $2,600 | 24.3 | $750 | ~$900 |
Note: Crime Index sourced from global safety databases where a lower number indicates less crime (scale of 0-100).
The Winning Combination: Zurich
Zurich tops our list with a near-perfect mix of:
- High net salary: $6,500/month
- Extremely low crime: 21.3 index
- Quality infrastructure, healthcare, and transport
- Swiss financial stability and efficient services
Even though rent and groceries are steep, your salary stretches further due to lower taxes and a stable economy.
Safety in the East: Tokyo, Taipei & Seoul
East Asia continues to impress with:
- Low crime rates
- High safety for solo travelers and families
- Efficient public transport
- Tech-forward urban planning
While Tokyo and Seoul offer mid-range salaries, the affordable cost of living and nearly non-existent violent crime make them attractive choices for remote workers and expats.
Dubai & Singapore: High Pay, Low Crime, Fast Growth
These cities attract professionals in finance, tech, and logistics with:
- World-class infrastructure
- 0% or low income tax
- High demand for skilled labor
- Strict law enforcement keeping crime minimal
Both cities are global hubs with international schools, coworking spaces, and visa options tailored for foreign professionals.
Europe’s Safe Havens: Helsinki, Munich, Oslo
Northern and Central Europe offer:
- Social stability
- Strong healthcare and education systems
- Environmental quality and clean urban spaces
While taxes are higher than in the Gulf or Asia, cities like Helsinki and Munich offer peace of mind and high living standards, especially for families.
Hidden Gems: Ljubljana & Taipei
These two may not have the biggest salaries, but they offer:
- Safety – both with crime indexes below 25
- Low rent and living expenses
- Access to natural beauty and public transport
- Visa-friendly options for digital nomads
Ljubljana especially stands out in Europe as a peaceful, affordable, and growing tech hub.
Notable Mentions That Just Missed the List
- Amsterdam – High salaries and safety, but rents are increasingly unaffordable.
- Toronto – Reasonably safe, but suffers from high housing costs and moderate crime in urban areas.
- Berlin – Great for lifestyle, but recent rises in petty crime and taxes push it below our top tier.
How This Helps You
- Relocating? Use this list to weigh job offers not just by salary but by lifestyle security.
- Remote worker? Consider basing yourself in a low-crime, high-value city with good internet and healthcare.
- Raising a family? Safe, structured cities like Helsinki or Tokyo might be ideal even if salaries aren’t the highest.
Final Takeaway
Don’t just chase the highest paycheck—chase peace of mind.
With global mobility at an all-time high, it’s more possible than ever to combine personal safety with financial growth. Whether you want modern tech hubs like Singapore, family-friendly cities like Helsinki, or scenic escapes like Ljubljana, the options are better than ever.
Use our city comparison tool to explore more safe, salary-smart places to live—and make your next move with clarity.