Two professionals earning the same gross salary in different European cities are not earning the same thing. Tax rates, housing costs, transport, and general living expenses vary so dramatically that a €70,000 salary can mean a comfortable life in one city and a stretched one in another.
Here's how some of the major European cities compare for cost-adjusted take-home value.
London
London consistently ranks as the most expensive major city in Europe for professionals. High income tax and National Insurance contributions bite hard at higher salaries, and housing is among the most expensive on the continent. A gross salary of £80,000 in London translates to roughly £53,000 in take-home after tax and NI — enough to live well, but requiring careful budgeting if you're also trying to save.
The upside: London also pays the highest salaries in Europe for most roles. The premium exists partly to compensate for the higher cost of living.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is expensive relative to the rest of the Netherlands, but moderate relative to London. The 30% tax ruling for qualifying international employees significantly reduces effective tax rates, making Amsterdam particularly attractive for relocation. Housing has become very tight, but the broader cost of living is more manageable than London's.
Net adjustment vs. London: Amsterdam salaries are lower in gross terms, but the effective take-home difference is smaller than the gross gap suggests — especially with the 30% ruling in play.
Berlin
Berlin has historically been one of Europe's most affordable major cities for professionals, with relatively low rents compared to salary levels. That's changed significantly over the past decade as the city has grown, but it remains materially cheaper than London, Amsterdam, or Paris. German income tax is progressive and can be significant at higher salary bands.
A €70,000 gross salary in Berlin typically yields around €44,000–€47,000 net after tax and social contributions — but your rent and lifestyle costs are lower, which means effective purchasing power is strong.
Paris
Paris is expensive, with housing costs second only to London among major European cities covered here. French social contributions are high, reducing net salary more than in Germany or the Netherlands. However, public services (healthcare, childcare, transport infrastructure) are high quality and heavily subsidised — reducing the out-of-pocket costs of living that are harder to quantify.
Barcelona and Madrid
Spanish cities offer significantly lower salaries but also dramatically lower costs of living. A €40,000 gross salary in Barcelona goes further in terms of rent, food, and lifestyle than a £60,000 salary in London. The work-life balance, climate, and social environment attract many professionals — particularly remote workers who can earn in higher-salary currencies while living at Spanish costs.
How to think about it for your situation
The right comparison is: gross salary after tax, minus non-discretionary costs (rent, transport, food), leaves how much for savings and discretionary spending. A higher gross salary in a more expensive city isn't automatically better.
Start by knowing your market rate in your current city. Use our salary checker to see where you stand, then use that as a baseline for any city comparison you're considering.