How much salary do you actually need to move abroad?
The honest answer is “it depends on where” — but there's a simple way to turn your current income into a target for anywhere in the world.
"How much do I need to earn there?" is the question behind every relocation. The good news: you can answer it in one calculation, starting from a salary you already understand — your current one.
The equivalence method
To keep the same standard of living, multiply your current salary by the ratio of the two cost indices. If your city has an index of 100 and the new city is 70, you need roughly 70% of your current salary to live the same way. If the new city is 150, you need about 50% more. Every comparison page does this for you — type your salary and read the equivalent.
Then adjust for tax
Equivalence works on spending, but you're paid in gross. A country with a 45% top rate and heavy social charges will need a bigger gross number to reach the same take-home than a flat- 10% country. Check both cities' tax lines before you translate the figure into a job offer.
Don't forget the one-off costs
Moving isn't just monthly budget. Budget for flights, a deposit (often 1–3 months' rent), visa fees, shipping or replacing furniture, and a buffer for the weeks before your income starts. A rule of thumb: have three to six months of the new city's expenses saved before you go.
Where your money stretches furthest
If maximising purchasing power is the goal, look at cities where the same dollar simply buys more — many are in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Central Europe. Our cheapest-cities list and best cities for digital nomads are a fast way to spot them.
CostTrek provides general information, not financial, tax, legal or immigration advice. Figures are estimates — verify anything important with an official source before making decisions.