CodeCapitals Expands to USA and India: Compare Software Engineer Savings Globally
CodeCapitals now includes Seattle, San Francisco, NYC, Austin, Miami, and Bangalore: Seattle leads global savings ($120k-$180k/year), Swiss tax trick with Zug revealed, and whether leaving India for Europe/US makes financial sense.
That's right: I've added a few American cities and Bangalore to codecapitals.com.
Now you can compare Software Engineer's saving rates across the globe - not just Europe.
If you want an intro to the website and/or want to adjust the numbers for non-Big Tech salaries, check our CodeCapitals introduction guide.
What's New: Cities Added
United States 🇺🇸
- New York City (NYC metro area)
- Seattle (Washington state)
- San Francisco Bay Area (Silicon Valley)
- Austin (Texas)
- Miami (Florida)
India 🇮🇳
- Bangalore (India's tech capital)
Europe 🇨🇭
- Zurich with tax residence in Zug (Swiss tax optimization)
Why These Cities?
1. USA: The Big Four + Miami
For the US, I tried to add the main tech hubs in the country, or the main cities that can be appealing.
New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Austin are the biggest tech hubs in the US, and most software engineers working in big tech in the US live in one of these cities.
Miami seemed like an interesting addition because, while not being a huge tech hub, it still has a decent tech presence (especially compared to European cities) and offers appealing aspects:
- Bustling nightlife
- Good weather and beaches
- Low taxes (no state income tax in Florida)
- Good food
- Practical for traveling to Europe and Latin America
Other US Cities Not Included (Yet)
There are other good cities in the US that I didn't add:
- Denver, Colorado
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Los Angeles, California
- San Diego, California
Maybe I could add them in the future, especially Denver and Atlanta. For other California cities, saving rates will be very similar to San Francisco.
2. India: Bangalore
I wanted to add India to be able to make some analysis and considerations about it. I added Bangalore as it's the main tech hub there.
I don't think the conditions in Hyderabad (the other big tech hub) will be all that different from Bangalore.
3. Zurich with the Zug Tax Trick 🤓
A little tax optimization I thought was worth mentioning:
If you're working in Zurich, you could also live in Zug - a nearby town (approximately 30 to 60 minutes distant from Zurich) - and pay less taxes.
This becomes more significant at high income rates, and is already impactful at entry-level Software Engineer's salaries in Big Tech.
Key Findings: Global Savings Comparison
1. Seattle for the Win 🏆
Seattle seems to be the city in the world where, as a big tech software engineer, you'd be able to maximize your savings.
Thanks to:
- No state taxes (Washington state)
- Huge big tech presence (second only to San Francisco Bay Area)
- High salaries (comparable to Bay Area)
- Lower cost of living than SF or NYC
| Level | Seattle Salary | After Tax | Living Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 (Junior) | $150k | $115k | $42k | $73k |
| L4 (Mid) | $210k | $158k | $48k | $110k |
| L5 (Senior) | $350k | $255k | $60k | $195k |
| L6 (Staff) | $500k | $355k | $72k | $283k |
It can easily beat all the other cities in the list when it comes to savings.
The Tradeoffs
Weather: Can be a bit rainy (like London)
Social culture: People might not be the most welcoming. There's even a Wikipedia page for the so-called "Seattle Freeze":
"The Seattle Freeze is, according to widely held belief, a difficulty with making new friends in the U.S. city of Seattle, Washington, particularly for transplants from other areas."
Sounds like Zurich 😂
The Upsides
Nature: Similarly to Zurich, it's a city famous for nature:
- Mountains (Mount Rainier)
- Forests
- Ocean/Puget Sound
Culture: Hometown of the rock band Nirvana and the movie Sleepless in Seattle (a cute rom-com from 1993).
2. New York: A City for Youngsters and Seniors Alike
New York has an interesting characteristic: not the best USA pick for maximizing savings as an entry-level in big tech.
| Level | NYC Salary | After Tax | Living Cost (Luxurious) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 (Junior) | $150k | $108k | $98k | $10k ⚠️ |
| L4 (Mid) | $210k | $147k | $108k | $39k |
| L5 (Senior) | $350k | $233k | $120k | $113k |
| L6 (Staff) | $500k | $320k | $132k | $188k |
Junior savings: Only $10k with luxurious lifestyle - similar to Munich or Belgrade!
Why So Low for Juniors?
- High cost of living (highest in US)
- Relatively high taxes (30%-35%) already at $150k-$250k income levels
- NYC state + city income taxes
Why Better for Seniors?
For mid-level and seniors, NYC has better saving rates:
- Similar to Zurich
- Though mostly lower than other US cities
- The massive salary increases at senior+ levels overcome the high costs
The NYC Value Proposition
Yet, for obvious reasons, it's a great city for young people, which could make up for the lower saving rates:
- Unmatched career opportunities
- Cultural attractions
- Networking
- Global city experience
3. Austin Here to Stay
Austin gained a lot of popularity in recent years and reached peak-hype during COVID when:
- Celebrities like Joe Rogan moved there
- Elon Musk moved Tesla's HQ there
| Level | Austin Salary | After Tax | Living Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 (Junior) | $145k | $111k | $36k | $75k |
| L4 (Mid) | $205k | $154k | $42k | $112k |
| L5 (Senior) | $340k | $251k | $54k | $197k |
| L6 (Staff) | $490k | $356k | $66k | $290k |
Why Austin Works
No state income taxes (same as Seattle and Miami) which helps retain the respectable income devs make here.
Lower cost of living than most US cities on this list.
Sizeable big tech presence: Less than SF Bay, NYC, and Seattle, but right after these top 3.
Austin Lifestyle
Climate: Sunny but can get very hot in summer
Food: Good, especially for BBQ lovers
City layout: A bit of a suburbia - downtown with offices and places to go out, suburbs with homes to commute to/from by car
Music: Good place for live music scene
It could be a great option!
4. San Francisco Bay Area... Them Cali Taxes! 💸
Silicon Valley... Homeland of many big tech companies that shaped our internet... Monastery of Venture Capital... IPO IPO IPO... HBO TV Show...
And high taxes.
| Level | SF Bay Salary | After Tax | Living Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 (Junior) | $155k | $113k | $54k | $59k |
| L4 (Mid) | $220k | $155k | $60k | $95k |
| L5 (Senior) | $360k | $243k | $72k | $171k |
| L6 (Staff) | $520k | $342k | $84k | $258k |
Taxes here are a bit on the high side, and it doesn't seem to be the best place in the US for saving rates. Although still being pretty good (similar to Zurich).
The Bay Area Value
Largest presence of big tech jobs while also having a huge amount of startups paying big tech rates.
Pre-IPO opportunities: Some startups might be interesting if you want to try your luck being an IPO millionaire. Although IPOs aren't as common anymore (Databricks has been "about to IPO" for 3+ years).
It's still definitely a great option.
The Downsides
Housing: Not affordable and of very low quality though. AFAIK.
Lifestyle: Better to live in San Francisco than in the nearby tech towns.
Crowd: Not very diverse - most people work in tech or startups. Could get boring for some.
Demographics: Big Indian and Chinese communities. Asians in general.
5. Miami: The Wildcard 🌴
Already talked about at the beginning of this article.
| Level | Miami Salary | After Tax | Living Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 (Junior) | $140k | $107k | $42k | $65k |
| L4 (Mid) | $195k | $147k | $48k | $99k |
| L5 (Senior) | $320k | $237k | $60k | $177k |
| L6 (Staff) | $460k | $336k | $72k | $264k |
I think it could be an interesting option for those having high-paying US-remote jobs.
Benefits:
- No Florida state income tax
- Great weather year-round
- Beach lifestyle
- Growing tech scene
6. How Practical Is Living in Zug While Working in Zurich?
We've seen how living in Zug makes quite a big difference if you're Swiss-based.
| Level | Zurich (Zurich Tax) | Zurich (Zug Tax) | Annual Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| L3 | €54k savings | €62k savings | +€8k |
| L4 | €85k savings | €97k savings | +€12k |
| L5 | €145k savings | €170k savings | +€25k |
| L6 | €210k savings | €248k savings | +€38k |
For seniors it can be a €25k-€38k+ difference in yearly saving rates.
Is It Worth It?
Several people do it, especially if you're above senior levels, where it makes an even greater difference.
Commute: 30-60 minutes from Zug to Zurich
Lifestyle: Living outside Zurich means:
- Less urban amenities
- Quieter lifestyle
- Need a car
- But lower taxes and potentially more space
I wanted to add it to have a fair "best option for savings" for Europe-based people.
7. Is It Worth Leaving India for Europe and the US?
A difficult question. Maybe even one worth a separate article.
A few considerations:
Moving to the US
Visa situation: Critical visa situation means always feeling at risk of getting "deported." (See our H-1B vs L-1 guide for details)
Savings comparison (Bangalore vs US cities for L5):
| City | Salary | Annual Savings (Comfortable) | Years to $300k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $350k | $195k | 1.5 years |
| Bangalore | $100k | $72k | 4.2 years |
| San Francisco | $360k | $171k | 1.8 years |
| Austin | $340k | $197k | 1.5 years |
US saves 2.5-3x more per year - dramatic difference.
Moving to Europe
Savings comparison (Bangalore vs Europe for L5):
| City | Salary | Annual Savings (Comfortable) | Years to $300k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | €220k | €115k | 2.6 years |
| London | €175k | €75k | 4.0 years |
| Bangalore | $100k | $72k | 4.2 years |
| Amsterdam | €155k | €70k | 4.3 years |
| Berlin | €135k | €42k | 7.1 years |
Europe's advantage over India is much smaller. You can still save more in Europe, but not that much more.
The Luxurious Lifestyle Perspective
Great option if you don't like living frugally: Given the very low cost of living in India, if you select "luxurious" lifestyle in CodeCapitals, Bangalore tends to have a higher spot than with other lifestyle options.
Bangalore luxurious savings (L5): $48k/year
Berlin comfortable savings (L5): $42k/year
Bangalore luxurious beats Berlin comfortable!
Quality of Life Considerations
If your life is in India (friends, family, home, etc), these lower saving rates will go a longer way than if your life is in Europe or the US.
Basically, you would feel relatively more rich in India than in Europe or the US, as a big tech engineer, even with adjusted saving rates.
The Geo-Arbitrage Strategy
Of course, living in the US or Europe, even living frugally, and then coming back to India, could be an interesting option that leverages geo-arbitrage.
Example strategy:
- Work in Seattle for 3-4 years (save $600k-$800k)
- Return to India with substantial savings
- Live off investments or start business
- Enjoy Indian quality of life with Western savings
This FIRE article could be interesting if you like this option.
Global Savings Rankings
Top 10 Cities for Maximum Savings (Senior Engineer, Comfortable Lifestyle)
| Rank | City | Country | Annual Savings | Special Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | 🇺🇸 USA | $195k | No state tax, high salaries |
| 2 | Austin | 🇺🇸 USA | $197k | No state tax, lower costs |
| 3 | Miami | 🇺🇸 USA | $177k | No state tax, lifestyle |
| 4 | Zurich (Zug tax) | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | €170k (~$185k) | Tax optimization |
| 5 | San Francisco | 🇺🇸 USA | $171k | Highest salaries globally |
| 6 | Zurich | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | €145k (~$158k) | Highest in Europe proper |
| 7 | New York | 🇺🇸 USA | $113k | For seniors, lower for juniors |
| 8 | London | 🇬🇧 UK | €75k (~$82k) | Largest European market |
| 9 | Bangalore | 🇮🇳 India | $72k | Excellent for luxurious lifestyle |
| 10 | Dublin | 🇮🇪 Ireland | €77k (~$84k) | English-speaking Europe |
Key insight: US cities dominate top 5, but European cities offer better work-life balance and lifestyle factors not captured in savings alone.
Savings by Region (Senior Engineer Average)
| Region | Average Annual Savings | Best City | Lifestyle Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (No state tax) | $180k-$197k | Austin, Seattle | Highest savings globally |
| US (With state tax) | $113k-$171k | San Francisco | Still very high |
| Switzerland | €145k-€170k | Zurich (Zug) | European maximum |
| UK/Ireland | €75k-€77k | London | English-speaking |
| Western Europe | €42k-€70k | Amsterdam | Work-life balance |
| Eastern Europe | €52k-€70k | Warsaw | Best value for money |
| India | $72k | Bangalore | High quality of life for the cost |
Run your own global comparison →
Using CodeCapitals for Strategic Decisions
Scenario 1: Indian Engineer Considering Move
Current: Bangalore, L4 (Mid-level), Comfortable lifestyle
- Salary: $70k
- Savings: $32k/year
Options:
A) Move to Seattle
- Salary: $210k
- Savings: $110k/year
- Gain: +$78k/year (+244%)
- Tradeoff: H-1B visa uncertainty, far from family
B) Move to Berlin
- Salary: €110k
- Savings: €42k/year (~$46k)
- Gain: +$14k/year (+44%)
- Tradeoff: Smaller gain, but easier visa (Blue Card)
C) Stay in Bangalore, target promotion
- Reach L5 in 2 years
- Salary: $100k
- Savings: $72k/year
- Gain: +$40k/year (+125%)
- Tradeoff: No international experience, but stay near family
Analysis: US offers 6x the incremental benefit vs Europe, but with visa risk. Promotion in India offers 3x benefit of Berlin move with no relocation cost.
Scenario 2: European Engineer Considering US
Current: Berlin, L5 (Senior), Comfortable lifestyle
- Salary: €135k
- Savings: €42k/year
Options:
A) Transfer to Seattle
- Salary: $350k
- Savings: $195k/year
- Gain: +$153k/year (+364%)
- Timeline: 2-3 years via L-1 visa
B) Move to Zurich
- Salary: €220k
- Savings: €145k/year
- Gain: +€103k/year (+245%)
- Timeline: 6-12 months
Analysis: US offers higher absolute savings ($195k vs $158k for Zurich), but Zurich is faster to achieve, no visa issues, and maintains European lifestyle. See our US vs Europe guide for more.
Scenario 3: US Engineer Considering FIRE
Current: San Francisco, L6 (Staff), Frugal lifestyle
- Salary: $520k
- Savings: $295k/year
Optimization: Move to Seattle while keeping SF salary
- Seattle savings (frugal): $325k/year
- Gain: +$30k/year
- FIRE timeline: 4 years to $1.2M (vs 4.1 years in SF)
Further optimization: Negotiate remote, move to Austin or Miami
- Even lower costs
- Potentially $340k+/year savings
- FIRE timeline: 3.5 years to $1.2M
See our complete FIRE blueprint for strategies.
Key Takeaways
1. US Dominates for Pure Savings
No-state-tax US cities (Seattle, Austin, Miami) offer the highest savings potential globally for software engineers.
- 2-3x more savings than most European cities
- Even accounting for healthcare costs
2. Zurich Remains European Champion
Zurich (especially with Zug tax optimization) beats all other European cities for savings.
- 50-100% more savings than London/Amsterdam
- Close to US levels (within 15-20% of US cities)
3. India Offers Surprisingly Competitive Savings
Bangalore isn't far behind European cities for savings:
- Beats Berlin, Barcelona, Munich for comfortable/luxurious lifestyles
- Much better for luxurious lifestyle due to low costs
4. Eastern Europe Punches Above Weight
Warsaw, Kraków offer European-level savings at 30-40% lower salaries:
- Low costs compensate for lower pay
- Favorable tax structures
- High quality of life for the money
5. Lifestyle Choice Matters Everywhere
Choosing frugal vs luxurious can mean:
- 50-100% difference in savings
- 2-3 years difference to financial independence
6. Taxes Make Huge Impact
No state tax (Seattle, Austin, Miami) vs high tax (California, NYC):
- $30k-$80k/year difference at senior+ levels
- Swiss tax optimization worth €25k-€38k/year
7. Not Just About Money
CodeCapitals shows savings potential, but decisions should also account for:
- Career growth opportunities
- Family proximity
- Language and culture
- Work-life balance
- Visa stability
- Quality of life
What's Next for CodeCapitals?
We're continuously expanding. Potential future additions:
- More US cities: Denver, Atlanta, Boston, San Diego
- Asian hubs: Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul
- More European cities: Helsinki, Vienna, Milan, Lisbon
- Middle East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
- Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
- Australia: Sydney, Melbourne
Which cities would you like to see next? Let us know!
Conclusion
With global expansion, CodeCapitals now answers: Where in the world should I work to maximize savings?
The answers might surprise you:
- Seattle beats every city globally
- Bangalore competes with many European cities
- Zurich (with Zug optimization) closes gap with US
- Lifestyle choices impact results dramatically
Whether you're:
- Planning international relocation
- Comparing job offers across continents
- Strategizing for financial independence
- Evaluating US vs Europe
CodeCapitals gives you the data to decide.
Calculate your global savings potential →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle really better than Zurich for savings?
Yes, by 15-20% for most levels:
Senior engineer (L5), Comfortable:
- Seattle: $195k/year savings
- Zurich: €145k/year (~$158k) savings
- Difference: +$37k/year (+23%)
Why Seattle wins:
- No state income tax (vs ~20% in Zurich)
- Slightly higher base salaries
- Comparable costs of living
However: Zurich offers better work-life balance, universal healthcare, no visa issues. Seattle has H-1B/L-1 visa requirements for non-US citizens. See our US vs Europe analysis for full comparison.
Should Indians move to US or Europe for tech careers?
Depends on your priorities:
Choose US if:
- Maximizing savings is top priority (2.5-3x India savings)
- Willing to deal with visa uncertainty (H-1B lottery)
- Okay being far from family
- Want fastest path to wealth accumulation
Choose Europe if:
- Want easier immigration (Blue Card vs H-1B)
- Prefer work-life balance over maximum savings
- Want universal healthcare
- Closer to India (8-10hr flights vs 20+ from US West Coast)
- Savings increase is still meaningful (+40-100%)
Consider staying in India if:
- Strong family ties
- Can reach senior+ levels quickly (local savings improve dramatically)
- Enjoy local lifestyle and cost of living
- Can target remote US/EU companies
See our relocation guide for non-EU engineers.
Why are no-state-tax US cities so much better for savings?
State income tax is huge at high salaries:
Example: $350k salary (L5 Senior)
| Location | Federal Tax | State Tax | Total Tax | Take Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle (no state tax) | 28% | 0% | 28% | $252k |
| California | 28% | 11% | 39% | $214k |
| New York | 28% | 9% | 37% | $221k |
Difference: $30k-$40k/year at senior level!
At staff+ levels ($500k+), difference grows to $60k-$80k/year.
No-state-tax states: Washington (Seattle), Texas (Austin), Florida (Miami), Nevada (Las Vegas), Tennessee, South Dakota, Wyoming.
Is the Zug tax trick legal and practical?
Yes, completely legal. Many people do this.
How it works:
- Work in Zurich (or anywhere in Switzerland)
- Live/register tax residence in Zug (30-60min commute)
- Pay Zug tax rates (lower than Zurich)
Savings (vs living in Zurich proper):
- L4: +€12k/year
- L5: +€25k/year
- L6: +€38k/year
Tradeoffs:
- Commute (30-60min each way)
- Need car usually
- Less urban amenities
- Quieter lifestyle
Worth it? Most people say yes at L5+ where savings are €25k-€38k/year.
How do healthcare costs in US impact these calculations?
Already factored into living costs. Typical tech employee healthcare costs:
US tech company health insurance:
- Premium: $0-$500/month (employer covers most/all)
- Deductible: $1,000-$3,000/year
- Out-of-pocket max: $5,000-$8,000/year
- Total typical cost: $3,000-$8,000/year
This is included in our "living costs" estimates.
Reality: For healthy tech workers with good employer insurance, US healthcare cost isn't a major factor. For families or those with health issues, costs can be significantly higher ($10k-$20k+/year).
Europe's advantage: Universal healthcare means no surprise medical costs, better for families and long-term security. But for healthy singles, the impact is minimal.
Can I actually get these salaries outside of FAANG?
FAANG+ pays these levels, but opportunities are broader than you think:
Companies at FAANG-level compensation (or close):
- Big Tech: Google, Meta, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix
- Scale-ups: Databricks, Snowflake, Stripe, Datadog, Confluent
- Trading firms: Jane Street, Citadel, HRT, Two Sigma (often higher)
- Unicorn startups: Pre-IPO with good equity
In each major city:
- Seattle: 50+ companies at these levels
- Bay Area: 100+ companies
- NYC: 75+ companies
- Zurich: 15-20 companies
- London: 40+ companies
See our comprehensive company guide for specific employers.
For non-FAANG, use our adjustment strategies in the CodeCapitals intro post.
How does CodeCapitals account for remote work?
Currently it doesn't - all calculations assume on-site work.
Planned feature: "Remote Mode" where you can:
- Select your employment city (salary basis)
- Select your living city (cost basis)
- Calculate geo-arbitrage savings
Example (future feature):
- Work remotely for: Google San Francisco ($360k)
- Live in: Austin Texas (low costs)
- Potential savings: $250k+/year (vs $171k living in SF)
For now: Use as baseline. If you have remote arrangement, your savings will be higher than shown for your employment city.
Which expansion should CodeCapitals prioritize next?
Based on community interest, leading candidates:
- Singapore - Asian hub, good salaries, low taxes
- Denver, Atlanta - Major US secondary markets
- Toronto, Vancouver - Canadian options
- Tokyo - Asian tech center
- Dubai - Middle East hub
Vote with your feedback! Email which cities you'd most like to see added and we'll prioritize accordingly.