A higher salary in a new city isn't a raise if rent and tax take the difference. The fair comparison is what's left after both, adjusted for prices if you're changing countries.
Here's how the calculator compares cities, the rents it uses, and what common moves are worth.
How the comparison works
- Work out take-home pay in each city with that country's 2026 tax rules, including US state and New York City tax.
- Take off rent. What's left pays for everything else: food, transport, bills and savings.
- Within a country, compare what's left directly. Rent is where cities differ most; the US Bureau of Economic Analysis notes that housing rents are often the main driver of price differences between places.
- Between countries, convert at the exchange rate and adjust for everyday prices, using the World Bank's price levels: India about 29.6% of US prices and Australia about 97%.
Typical 2-bedroom rents used
| City | Rent a month | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | ₹41,400 | Global Property Guide, 2026 |
| Mumbai (Andheri to Dahisar) | ₹55,400 | Global Property Guide, 2026 |
| Delhi | ₹29,000 | Global Property Guide, 2026 |
| Hyderabad / Pune / Chennai | ₹28,200 / ₹31,700 / ₹22,900 | Global Property Guide, 2026 |
| New York City | $2,971 | HUD FY2027 |
| Boston / Los Angeles / Seattle | $3,008 / $2,964 / $2,549 | HUD FY2027 |
| Chicago / Dallas | $2,011 / $1,807 | HUD FY2027 |
| Sydney | A$3,618 (A$835 a week) | Units, August 2026 |
| Melbourne / Brisbane / Perth | A$2,700 / A$2,860 / A$3,059 | Units, August 2026 |
| Adelaide / Canberra | A$2,383 / A$2,557 | Units, August 2026 |
Worked examples
Example: ₹24 lakh CTC in Bengaluru
Take-home about ₹1,72,300 a month; after ₹41,400 rent, ₹1,30,900 is left.
To match it: about ₹26.4 lakh in Mumbai, ₹21.9 lakh in Hyderabad, A$187,900 in Sydney or US$142,900 in New York City.
An A$120,000 Sydney offer would leave you about 47% worse off after tax and rent.
Example: $120,000 in Dallas
Texas has no income tax and rent is $1,807, leaving about $5,964 a month.
New York City needs about $162,100 with state and city tax and $2,971 rent; Seattle about $133,000.
Example: A$110,000 in Melbourne
Sydney needs about A$126,200 to leave the same after tax and rent, with Sydney's rent taking 46% of take-home pay.
Weighing a remote job instead of moving? Use the remote job offer calculator.
What it leaves out
- One-off costs: flights, visas, bond and moving costs.
- Savings: PF, 401(k) and super contributions differ between countries.
- Your lifestyle: school fees, a car, or sharing a flat change the answer. Adjust the rents to match how you'd live.
- Price levels date from 2020 and are averages for each country; edit them if you have better figures.
How to use this calculator
- Pick your city and enter your salary (CTC in India) and rent.
- Pick the city you're thinking of moving to; its typical 2-bedroom rent fills in.
- Enter an offer there if you have one.
- Between countries, check the exchange rate and price levels.
FAQs
How much do I need in Sydney to match ₹24 lakh in Bengaluru?
About A$188,000 before super, with Sydney's median unit rent of A$835 a week. On A$120,000 you'd have about 47% less to spend after tax and rent.
Why is the equivalent salary so much higher abroad?
Rent in Sydney or New York takes a much bigger share of pay, and everyday prices are 3 to 4 times India's at the exchange rate. Higher income tax adds to it.
Where do the rents come from?
US: HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rents for a 2-bedroom. Australia: median weekly unit asking rents for August 2026. India: Global Property Guide 2-bedroom rents for 2026. Use your own rent for a better answer.
What doesn't this include?
Moving costs, visas, school fees, car costs and differences in savings like PF or super. If you'd share a place or live further out, change the rent.
Sources
- HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, 20 largest metros (compiled by Crowdfunded Wealth)
- Property Update: Median weekly asking rents, August 2026
- Global Property Guide: Rental yields and rents in India
- World Bank via IndexMundi: India price level ratio
- World Bank via IndexMundi: Australia price level ratio
- BEA: Regional price parities (rents drive differences between places)
Results are estimates and aren't financial advice. For decisions about your own money, check with a qualified adviser. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.