The Real Cost of Living Abroad: Comparing Lifestyle Value Across 10 Global Cities
Dreaming of relocating or working remotely overseas? The world is open—but not all cities treat your wallet the same.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, expat, or remote employee, the question isn’t just “Where can I move?”—it’s “Where does my money go the furthest?”
We break down the real cost of living in 10 global cities, balancing income, taxes, rent, and daily essentials to find where your salary buys the best lifestyle.
What We’re Measuring
We’ve used average data for:
- Net salary (after tax)
- Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center
- Basic living expenses (groceries, transport, utilities)
- Lifestyle Value Score: a custom metric combining savings potential and cost-efficiency
Top 10 Cities Compared (2025)
| City | Avg Net Salary | Rent (1BR) | Other Costs | Lifestyle Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prague | $2,800 | $950 | $950 | ★★★★☆ |
| Bangkok | $2,500 | $700 | $850 | ★★★★★ |
| Amsterdam | $3,700 | $1,900 | $1,500 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cape Town | $2,200 | $600 | $700 | ★★★★☆ |
| Tokyo | $3,300 | $1,400 | $1,200 | ★★★★☆ |
| New York City | $5,800 | $3,800 | $2,100 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Mexico City | $2,100 | $650 | $800 | ★★★★★ |
| Sydney | $4,500 | $2,300 | $1,600 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Budapest | $2,400 | $850 | $800 | ★★★★☆ |
| Seoul | $3,000 | $1,200 | $1,000 | ★★★★☆ |
Figures are estimated monthly averages in USD for single professionals. Data sourced from Numbeo and local tax authorities.
What Is the Lifestyle Score?
Our Lifestyle Score combines:
- Savings potential (salary minus core expenses)
- Affordability index (cost of rent + basics)
- Quality of life benchmarks (safety, transit, food, healthcare)
Cities with ★★★★★ deliver exceptional cost-efficiency and comfort for remote workers or international employees.
Highlights & Surprises
🏆 Best Overall Value: Bangkok
With low rent and living costs, Bangkok lets you save or splurge—without breaking the bank. A $2,500 net salary stretches remarkably well.
Example: A software engineer working remotely from Bangkok with a $4,000 USD income could save over $2,000/month—while enjoying world-class cuisine and culture.
💸 Most Expensive: New York City
Even with one of the highest average salaries, NYC’s costs eat up most of your income.
- Rent & essentials: ~$5,900/month
- Savings potential: Almost zero without a high six-figure income
🏙️ Europe’s Middle Ground: Prague & Budapest
These Central European capitals offer great transit, culture, and safety at a fraction of the price of Amsterdam or Paris. Popular among remote workers who earn in USD or EUR.
🌍 Hidden Gem: Cape Town
Cape Town combines scenic beauty, mild climate, and very low living costs. A remote worker earning $3,000/month can enjoy high-end living and still save over 30% of income.
How Taxes Affect Your Wallet
A high gross salary doesn’t help much if your tax rate is brutal. For example:
- Netherlands: Effective income tax can exceed 35%
- USA (NYC): Combined federal, state, and city tax often >30%
- Thailand: Income under $5,000/month taxed lightly (~15%)
Want to know your actual take-home? Use our take-home pay calculator.
Net Salary vs. Net Lifestyle
Would you rather earn $6,000 and save $200—or earn $3,000 and save $1,000?
It’s not just about income—it’s what you’re left with.
The best cities combine:
- Low to moderate taxation
- Affordable housing
- Reasonable daily expenses
- Good public infrastructure
What This Means for Remote Workers
If you’re not tied to one city, your location choice can unlock years of extra savings or faster paths to FIRE.
Consider this:
- Move from New York to Budapest, keep your $5,000/month remote job
- Drop rent from $3,800 to $850
- Cut essentials by $1,000/month
- Save $30,000–$40,000 more per year—with a similar lifestyle
Tools to Help You Plan Your Move
Thinking about relocating? Here are tools you can use right now:
- Compare cities worldwide to see cost-of-living differences
- Check which countries you can move to
- Calculate your post-tax take-home pay
Final Thoughts
Your location plays a bigger role in your financial life than you think.
Rather than chasing higher salaries, start looking at:
- Tax rates
- Rent prices
- Local cost of living
Smart city choices let you work less, save more, and live better.
Run the numbers with our tools and see where your salary will go the furthest.