Salary Comparison: European Cities

Why gross salary is only half the story

When comparing job offers or planning a move abroad, the gross salary figure is just the starting point. What matters is how much you actually have left after the government takes its share — and after you've paid rent and kept yourself alive. In some cities, a "high" salary on paper leaves you with remarkably little headroom.

This salary comparison tool lets you cut through the noise. Enter your annual gross salary once and instantly see your estimated monthly net pay, rent, living costs, and leftover income across Dublin, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Lisbon — all on one screen.

Tax rates across European cities

Income tax is the first big deduction from any salary. Ireland has one of the highest effective rates for middle earners in Western Europe, with the 40% marginal rate kicking in at a relatively low income threshold. The UK is somewhat more generous, with a 20% base rate and 40% above £50,270. Germany and the Netherlands sit in the mid-30s for effective rates, while Portugal remains the most attractive for most income levels at roughly 28% effective rate.

It's important to note that these are simplified effective rates. Real-world tax bills depend on deductions, social contributions, personal circumstances, and whether you qualify for special expat schemes like the Dutch 30% ruling or the Portuguese NHR regime.

How to use this salary comparison tool

Simply enter your gross annual salary in euros (or the euro equivalent of your salary) in the field above. The tool will immediately calculate your estimated monthly net pay in each city, subtract the average monthly rent and living costs, and rank the cities from the one where you would save the most to the one where you would save the least.

The ranking updates instantly as you type. If a city shows a negative leftover figure, it means your salary would not comfortably cover basic costs there without additional income or cheaper accommodation than the city-centre average used in the calculation.

Salary negotiation and relocation decisions

This tool is particularly useful when negotiating a salary for a role in a new city, or when comparing two job offers in different countries. A €10,000 higher gross salary in Dublin over Berlin may actually leave you worse off each month once tax and rent are factored in. Running the numbers takes less than a minute and can save you from a costly surprise after you've already relocated.