Numbeo Cost of Living Ranking 2025: Strategic Analysis for Tech Workers
Zurich ranks #6 globally but €100k goes further than SF for remote workers. Dubai at #115, Warsaw at #167 offer 60%+ savings rates. Full European city analysis.
Choosing a good location to be based in is one of the most impactful choices you can make as a software engineer.
Let me walk through the 2025 Numbeo Cost of Living rankings and share my thoughts on what makes sense for developers.
Compare salaries across cities →
Key Insight: Cost of Living vs. Salary Matters More Than Cost Alone
Before diving into specific cities, remember: a high cost of living isn't inherently bad if salaries are proportionally higher. What matters is your savings rate and quality of life.
| Metric | Formula | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Savings Rate | (Income - Expenses) / Income × 100% | Actual wealth building capability |
| Purchasing Power | What your savings can buy locally | Real financial progress |
| TC/CoL Ratio | Total Compensation / Cost of Living | Quick comparison metric |
| QoL-adjusted Savings | Savings × Quality of Life Score | Holistic optimization |
Zurich: The Remote Worker Perspective
For devs spending 50% of their waking hours at home and the other 50% at the office, IMO Zurich is cheaper than SF/NYC/LA/Seattle.
Why? Rent is cheaper in Zurich. But pretty much everything else is more expensive in Zurich.
Zurich Reality Check
| Factor | Reality |
|---|---|
| Salaries | High (€150-250k), but less supply than US |
| High-paying jobs | ~90% of devs make €100-150k |
| US comparison | WAY MORE $200-700k roles in SF/NYC/Seattle |
| Best for | Specific big tech roles, not most developers |
Conclusion: If you can land a top-tier role (€200k+), Zurich is excellent. But for the average €100-150k range, better options exist.
Read more: The Zurich Trap
Singapore and London: Expensive Without the Upside
Singapore and London can be bad deals.
Salaries aren't as high as in other high-paying locations, whereas CoL is basically on par with the most expensive cities in the world.
Singapore vs London Comparison
| City | Typical Senior Dev Salary | Annual Living Costs (Family) | Savings | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | SGD 180k (~€122k) | SGD 120k (~€81k) | €41k | 10-15% |
| London | £120k (~€142k) | £75k (~€89k) | €53k | 42% |
Singapore advantage: At least taxes are lower (15-20% total vs 40-45% in London), and the place is well-run, safe, developed, modern.
With that said: If you're a "top player", you can earn pretty well in London too (£150-200k+), and have a great quality of life with world-class food, culture, and social scene.
See: Top European cities ranking
Paris and Amsterdam: Ranking #35 and #36 Globally
Close to places like Atlanta (GA) or Denver (CO). They're OK places to live in.
TC/CoL assessment: Still better elsewhere though, without sacrificing much of the quality of life.
Paris & Amsterdam for Developers
| City | Senior Dev Salary | Living Costs (Family) | Savings | Key Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | €80-120k | €60-75k | €5-45k | Great culture, high taxes (45%) |
| Amsterdam | €85-130k | €60-70k | €15-60k | English-friendly, cycling culture, 40% tax |
Recommendation: Consider for lifestyle (Amsterdam's canals, Paris's culture), but not for optimal savings.
Munich: Ranking #45 - Interesting Option
A bit cheaper than Paris/Amsterdam, with comparable (actually, slightly higher) salaries in tech.
Munich tech scene:
- Google, Microsoft, Apple have offices
- Strong automotive tech (BMW, Audi software)
- Growing AI/ML startup scene
- €90-140k typical for senior engineers
Could be interesting if you like German culture, central European location, and want decent comp with moderate CoL.
See: Best tech companies by city in Europe
Dublin: Ranking #51 - Top 3 in Europe for Devs
Dublin is in my opinion in the top 3 places in Europe for devs right now.
Why Dublin Ranks So High
Lots of high-paying tech jobs. From last week's Euro Top Tech Jobs analytics:
| City | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| London | 397 | €90-140k |
| Dublin | 362 | €85-130k |
| Warsaw | 191 | €60-100k |
| Madrid | 178 | €50-85k |
Dublin was 2nd in the rank of locations with the most jobs, after London and before Warsaw.
Additional advantages:
- English-speaking (easier integration)
- US companies (Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon all have major offices)
- Lower corporate tax attracts tech companies
- Strong startup scene
- EU access with UK proximity
Downsides:
- Housing crisis (very expensive rent)
- Weather (rainy, grey)
- Social scene less vibrant than London or Berlin
Net assessment: Excellent for career building and earning, moderate for savings, depends on personal preferences for lifestyle.
Dubai: Ranking #115 - Interesting for 2025
Dubai at 115th spot is an interesting place today IMO.
Considering no income tax, upward trajectory, and growing tech scene.
Dubai for Tech Workers
| Factor | Reality |
|---|---|
| Income Tax | 0% |
| Tech Salaries | $100-180k for senior engineers |
| Living Costs | $50-80k/year (family) |
| Savings Potential | $50-100k/year (50-60% rate) |
| Quality of Life | Modern, safe, but cultural constraints |
Advantages:
- Zero income tax (massive for high earners)
- Modern infrastructure
- Growing tech ecosystem
- Central time zone for global remote work
- Safety and stability
Downsides:
- Extreme heat (40°C+ summers)
- Cultural restrictions (especially for LGBTQ+, women, drinking)
- Not "authentic" city feeling
- Expensive lifestyle if you engage with luxury culture
Best for: High earners willing to tolerate cultural/climate trade-offs for 3-5 years to save aggressively.
Read more: Dubai tech hub guide
Barcelona and Madrid: #146 and #147
Barcelona and Madrid have growing tech scenes.
Especially Madrid which got 178 jobs in last week's Euro Top Tech Jobs analytics (4th hub in Europe).
Spain's Tech Hubs
| City | Global Rank | Salary Range | Living Costs (Family) | Key Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | #147 | €50-85k | €40-50k | Growing scene, good QoL |
| Barcelona | #146 | €50-80k | €45-55k | Beach, startup culture |
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa:
- 24% tax rate up to €600k income
- Easier for remote workers
- Great lifestyle (food, weather, culture)
- Language barrier manageable in big cities
Trade-offs:
- Lower salaries than Northern Europe
- Bureaucracy can be challenging
- Slower career progression locally
Best for: Remote workers with non-Spanish income, or those prioritizing lifestyle over maximum savings.
Eastern European Sweet Spots
Prague, Lisbon, Riga, Warsaw: Ranking #160-167
They're interesting and good-value spots. They can also have contained taxes.
| City | Global Rank | Tax Rate | CoL (Family) | Available Tech Jobs | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prague | ~160 | ~22% | €35-45k | Good supply | Beautiful, central EU, growing scene |
| Lisbon | ~161 | 20-25% | €40-50k | Moderate | Beach life, digital nomad hub |
| Riga | ~163 | ~22% | €30-38k | Limited | Affordable, real estate opportunity |
| Warsaw | ~167 | 12% | €35-45k | Excellent | 3rd in Europe for top tech jobs |
Prague: Has some good tech jobs too (Microsoft, Avast, Red Hat presence).
Lisbon: Decent for remote workers; local salaries lower but digital nomad visa helps.
Riga: Mostly a remote-worker play; limited local opportunities but very affordable.
Warsaw: Has a very high supply of top tech jobs (3rd in Europe), making it the standout choice in this group.
Read more: Poland: Europe's top place for software engineers
Krakow: Ranking #181 - Hidden Gem
Krakow at 181 is a great spot.
9th in Europe for top tech jobs (113), before Amsterdam (102 jobs).
Why Krakow Stands Out
Lower cost than Warsaw (15-20% cheaper) but still has strong tech presence:
- Google, Cisco, IBM, Motorola offices
- Growing startup scene
- Beautiful historic city
- University talent pipeline (Jagiellonian University, AGH)
For families: Excellent schools, safe, affordable, good quality of life.
For singles: Vibrant nightlife, student city energy, affordable socializing.
Tax optimization: Same as Warsaw (12% total), extremely favorable.
Typical scenario for senior engineer:
- €100k remote salary
- 12% tax = €88k after tax
- €30-35k living costs
- €53-58k saved (53-58% savings rate)
Compare this to London, Paris, or even Dublin, and the value proposition is clear.
See Poland vs Switzerland comparison →
Other Notable Mentions from the Rankings
Aarhus, Denmark - Ranking #42
Aarhus, Denmark is 42 and can be an interesting place IMO.
- Google, Uber, Databricks currently hiring engineers in the Danish city
- Salaries ain't low (€80-120k), but neither are taxes (~45%)
- Public services are very high quality (healthcare, education, infrastructure)
- Better work-life balance than most countries
- Smaller city charm with tech opportunities
Best for: Those who value Nordic lifestyle, public services, and work-life balance over maximum savings.
Milan and Brussels - Ranking #68 and #69
They are some of the worst places to be as a dev in Europe.
| City | Why It's Poor |
|---|---|
| Milan | Moderate CoL, low salaries (€40-70k), poor tech scene, high taxes (40%+) |
| Brussels | Expensive, confusing tax system, limited tech jobs, bureaucratic |
Recommendation: Avoid unless you have specific personal reasons (family, specific job opportunity).
Stockholm - Ranking #72
Stockholm at 72 isn't in a good spot right now.
- Quality of life seems to be in decline (crime increasing, political issues)
- Salaries stagnating (€60-90k typical)
- Very high cost of living (comparable to London)
- WLB capital though - Swedish work culture prioritizes balance
Best for: Those who prioritize work-life balance and Swedish culture over financial optimization.
Austin - Ranking #72
Austin at 72 is in a GREAT spot!
Considering the low(er) taxes (0% state income tax), abundance of high-paying tech jobs, and contained CoL.
- Typical senior engineer: $150-250k
- Living costs (family): $70-90k
- Savings: $60-160k/year
- Second city in the world for saving rates among big tech devs (after Seattle)
If you're considering US: Austin is one of the best choices. See should you move to the US.
Berlin - Ranking #95
Berlin at 95 seems weird to me. Maybe someone living in Germany can confirm?
That's about 14% cheaper than Munich. Could be though. Still not cheap anyway.
Berlin for tech workers:
- Salaries: €60-100k (lower than Munich)
- Cost of living: ~14% less than Munich
- Vibrant startup scene and best social life in Germany
- English-friendly
- Good for quality of life, less good for savings
Best for: Those prioritizing lifestyle, culture, and social scene over maximum earnings.
Limassol - Ranking #135
Limassol at 135th can be interesting for remote devs.
- Stay under 15% total tax
- Beach lifestyle, beautiful Mediterranean island
- Growing digital nomad community
- EU member (Cyprus)
Trade-offs:
- Limited local tech jobs (remote income needed)
- Summer heat can be intense
- Smaller expat community than Lisbon or Barcelona
Same as Dubai: Not perfect, but interesting for the right person.
Tokyo and Rome - Ranking #143 and #144
Very interesting cities to spend time in nowadays.
Not sure about being officially based there because of taxes (Japan and Italy both have high taxes), but definitely cool and good-value spots in 2025.
Best approach: Spend extended time (1-3 months) as digital nomad/tourist, but maintain tax residency elsewhere.
Tirana, Seville, Malaga, Valencia - Ranking #172-179
Interesting good-value places to spend time in.
Not sure about being officially based there:
- Spain (Seville, Malaga, Valencia): Taxes aren't terrible with digital nomad visa (24%), but local salaries are low
- Albania (Tirana): Great value but concerning public services quality
Best for: Remote workers with income from elsewhere who want low-cost, good-weather lifestyle.
Istanbul, Belgrade, Sofia, Budapest, Bucharest - Ranking #188-199
All interesting places.
| City | Tax Rate | Tech Scene | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 5% (contractors) | Growing | Massive city, culture, low costs |
| Belgrade | 10% | Emerging | Very affordable, Balkans hub |
| Sofia | 9% | Good | EU member, low costs, skiing |
| Budapest | 15-22% | Decent | Central EU, culture, thermal baths |
| Bucharest | 12% | Growing | Low costs, good internet, EU |
Common theme: Very low costs + growing tech scenes + favorable taxes = excellent for remote workers.
Bangkok - Ranking #207
Included as a reference point for those considering Asia.
Ultra-Low-Cost Options: Ranking #213-297
Varna, Podgorica, Antalya, Timisoara, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Tbilisi, Skopje, Batumi in the 213-260 range.
Kiev, Rio de Janeiro, Medellin, Hanoi, Minsk, Saint Petersburg, Mumbai, Bangalore in the 266-297 range.
These are for:
- Extreme FIRE (financial independence) seekers
- Digital nomads willing to sacrifice some comfort/infrastructure
- Adventurous types exploring unconventional paths
Trade-offs:
- Very low costs (save 70-80% of income)
- Varying quality of infrastructure/services
- Distance from Europe/US (time zones, travel)
- Political stability concerns in some locations
How to Use This Information
Step 1: Define Your Priorities
Use this priority matrix:
| Priority Level | Optimize For |
|---|---|
| Wealth Building | Warsaw, Krakow, Bucharest, Sofia, Dubai |
| Career Growth | London, Dublin, Zurich, Munich |
| Lifestyle | Barcelona, Lisbon, Berlin, Amsterdam |
| Balance | Munich, Dublin, Warsaw, Austin (if US) |
Step 2: Calculate Your Specific Scenario
Use our financial data tool to input:
- Your salary or target salary
- Family situation (single, couple, kids)
- Target cities
- Lifestyle preferences
Step 3: Consider the Sequential Approach
Many successful engineers do this:
Phase 1 (2-3 years): High-earning hub (Zurich, London, Dublin) - build CV and initial savings (€50-100k).
Phase 2 (5-10 years): Remote from LCOL (Warsaw, Krakow, Bucharest) - maintain high income (€100-150k), save aggressively (€50-90k/year).
Phase 3 (Financial independence): Choose based on lifestyle preference, not financial need.
Read more: Location planning for financial independence
Related Resources
- Best countries for tech workers in Europe
- Top 20 European cities ranking
- Poland: Europe's top place for software engineers
- Switzerland comprehensive guide
- Best low-cost, low-tax countries for remote developers
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is Numbeo's cost of living data for making career decisions?
Numbeo is a reasonable starting point but has limitations. Strengths: Crowdsourced from real people living in cities, regularly updated, covers most global cities, free and accessible. Weaknesses: Sample bias (mostly expats report, not locals), doesn't account for lifestyle differences (someone cooking at home vs eating out daily will have vastly different costs), averages can hide neighborhood variations (central Paris vs suburbs = 50% cost difference). How to use it: Use Numbeo for initial filtering (narrow 100 cities to 10-15), then validate with: (1) Reddit communities (r/movingtogermany, r/iwantout, etc.), (2) Expat forums specific to your target city, (3) Actual budget tracking from people like you (check our crowdsourced data), (4) Short-term visits before committing. Bottom line: Numbeo is directionally correct but don't base a life decision on it alone. A €10k difference in ranking shouldn't change your decision; a €50k difference should make you investigate further.
Should I prioritize low cost of living or high salary when choosing where to work?
High salary in LCOL location is the winner - but that's not always available. Decision tree: If you can get high salary (€100k+) in LCOL (remote work from Poland, Romania, Portugal): This is optimal. Do this. If you must choose: Early career (0-5 years): Prioritize learning and salary growth over CoL - your career trajectory matters most. Mid-career (5-10 years): Optimize for savings rate - high salary in LCOL or moderate salary in LCOL. Later career (10+ years): Optimize for lifestyle - you've hopefully built savings, now live where you want. Example math: €150k in London (42% tax, £75k CoL) = £12k saved (14% rate), €100k in Warsaw (12% tax, €35k CoL) = €53k saved (53% rate). Warsaw wins despite 33% lower gross salary. When HCOL wins: If the salary difference is massive (€250k in Zurich vs €100k remote) or you're building specific career capital (working at Stripe HQ is different from remote role). See our financial calculator for your specific numbers.
How much does having a family change the cost of living rankings?
Dramatically - easily 2-3x expenses and changes optimal locations. Single engineer costs vs family of 4 costs: Zurich: €55k vs €140k (+155%), London: £45k vs £75k (+67%), Warsaw: €20k vs €45k (+125%), Lisbon: €25k vs €50k (+100%). What changes most: Childcare (€10-40k/year depending on city), housing (need 3-bed vs 1-bed, 50-100% more rent), schools (public vs private can be €0-25k/year difference), activities/entertainment (4 people vs 1 multiplies costs). Cities that become relatively better for families: Warsaw/Krakow (good public schools, affordable childcare), Munich/Germany (excellent public services), Nordic countries (subsidized childcare, though high taxes). Cities that become relatively worse: Zurich (childcare astronomical), London (housing crisis hits families hard), Singapore (housing costs explode with family). Strategic insight: Many engineers do singles/DINK phase in expensive city (Zurich, SF), then transition to LCOL before having kids. Saves €200-400k over 3-5 years, which then funds family phase elsewhere.
Is the Numbeo ranking biased toward Western cities, and does that affect the recommendations for Eastern Europe?
There's some Western bias in perception, but data is fairly objective. Where bias exists: Western cities get more data points (more contributors), perception of "quality of life" influenced by Western standards (assuming car ownership, eating out frequently, etc.), infrastructure quality weighted toward Western preferences. Where data is objective: Rent prices, grocery costs, restaurant prices, utilities - these are factual and Numbeo captures them reasonably well. Effect on Eastern Europe: Rankings might slightly underestimate value because: Quality-adjusted costs aren't captured (€800 rent in Warsaw gets you nicer apartment than €800 in Berlin), public transport quality/cost not fully reflected (Warsaw metro is excellent and cheap), healthcare quality-to-cost ratio not captured (private healthcare in Poland is great and cheap). Bottom line: If anything, Numbeo might understate the advantage of Eastern European cities for remote workers, not overstate it. Real-world experiences from our community data often show even better savings rates than Numbeo would suggest. The rankings are conservative - Warsaw at #167 is probably better value than that suggests for tech workers.
How often should I reconsider my location as my career progresses?
Every 2-3 years is reasonable for active consideration, but moves every 5-7 years are more typical. Career stage considerations: Years 0-3: Stay where you are or move to career hub (London, Berlin, Dublin) - focus on learning, frequent moves hurt career. Years 3-7: Consider strategic move to optimize income (maybe to Switzerland/US) OR move to LCOL if you already have remote role. Years 7-12: Optimize for savings if building wealth - remote from LCOL is peak strategy. Years 12+: Optimize for lifestyle and family needs - you've likely built career capital, now prioritize happiness. Red flags that trigger reconsideration: Major life change (marriage, kids, divorce), job change (especially if remote becomes option), financial goals shift (pursuing FIRE vs long career), location becoming worse (policy changes, CoL increasing). Caution about moving too often: Moves are expensive (€5-15k per international move), disruptive (relationships, routines, 6 months to settle), and exhausting (bureaucracy, culture shock). Optimal pattern: 2-3 strategic moves over 15-year career, each intentionally timed with career/life transitions. Not aimless wandering.
What's the single best city in Europe for a senior software engineer optimizing for wealth building?
Warsaw or Krakow (Poland), but with important caveats. The math for senior remote engineer: €120k remote salary (achievable from US/EU companies), 12% total tax = €105.6k after tax, €35k annual living costs (comfortable family life) = €70.6k saved (59% savings rate). Over 5 years: €353k saved + investment returns = €400k+ net worth achievable. Why Warsaw/Krakow specifically: High supply of local tech jobs (3rd most in Europe) - can find new role locally if remote ends, EU member - travel, stability, rights protected, Modern infrastructure - fast internet, good airports, safe, Growing tech community - won't feel isolated, Good quality of life - culture, food, nightlife, nature access. The caveats: Weather is gray (Nov-Mar can be tough mentally), Language barrier (manageable but exists), Not as cosmopolitan as London/Berlin (but improving), Requires actually living modestly (if you lifestyle-inflate to €70k costs, advantage disappears). Alternatives: Bucharest (even cheaper, less developed), Berlin (better lifestyle, worse savings), Lisbon (better weather, higher taxes), Remote from anywhere (if you have strong income source). Check our Poland guide for complete analysis.
How do I actually make the move to a new country? What's the practical process?
It's bureaucratic but manageable with the right approach - budget 3-6 months for full transition. Phase 1: Research & Decision (1-2 months): Visit for 1-2 weeks (experience daily life, not tourist), Talk to expats living there (Reddit, expat forums, local meetups), Understand visa/residency requirements (EU citizens within EU is easy, others more complex), Consult with tax advisor in target country (understand real tax situation). Phase 2: Legal Setup (2-3 months before move): Apply for visa/permit if needed (digital nomad visa, work permit, etc.), Set up bank account (some countries allow remote setup), Register company if contractor (needed in some countries), Find accountant/tax advisor (absolutely critical). Phase 3: Logistics (1 month before to 1 month after): Find housing (rent short-term first 3-6 months, don't buy immediately), Ship belongings or start fresh (often cheaper to buy new), Register address with local authorities (required in most EU countries), Set up utilities, internet, phone. Phase 4: Integration (first 6 months): Learn basic local language (critical for real integration), Join expat and local communities (Meetup, InterNations, sports clubs), Establish routines (gym, groceries, social activities), Give yourself grace (culture shock is real, takes time to adjust). Costs: €5,000-15,000 total (visa fees, moving, deposits, setup, buffer). Timeline: 6-12 months from decision to feeling settled. Don't rush it.