Berlin vs New York: Cost of Living & Salary Comparison
Berlin and New York are both popular destinations for professionals. Here's a data-driven comparison of what it actually costs to live and work in each city.
Berlin
New York
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Category | Berlin | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 62 | 100 | -38% (lower is better) |
| Median Salary | $50,000 | $75,000 | |
| Rent (1BR) | $1,400 | $3,200 | (/month) |
| Rent (2BR) | $2,000 | $4,500 | (/month) |
| Groceries Index | 65 | 100 | -35% (NYC=100) |
| Transport Monthly | $100 | $127 | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 35% | 28.5% | (at median income) |
| Purchasing Power | 76 | 100 | -24% (higher is better) |
Salary Comparison by Role
| Role | Berlin | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $70,000 | $140,000 | -50% |
| Product Manager | $68,000 | $140,000 | -51% |
| Data Scientist | $68,000 | $140,000 | -51% |
| DevOps Engineer | $72,000 | $145,000 | -50% |
| Frontend Developer | $60,000 | $120,000 | -50% |
| Engineering Manager | $95,000 | $195,000 | -51% |
New York Offers Better Purchasing Power
New York has a purchasing power index of 100 compared to 76 for Berlin. Despite potentially higher costs, making it a stronger choice from a pure economic standpoint. It's also a top tech hub (score: 9/10).
Common Questions
Based on cost of living indices, Berlin (62) is less expensive compared to New York (100), where NYC = 100.
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $161,000 in New York to match $100,000 in Berlin.
Berlin has a tech hub score of 8/10 while New York scores 9/10. New York generally offers more tech opportunities.
Based on purchasing power, New York offers better value. This accounts for both salary levels and cost of living.
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Last updated: 2026-02-19 | Data sources: Numbeo, OECD, Glassdoor, and local government statistics.