Safety Index
#2
of 124 cities
83.9/100
Current value
#39 of 124
Middle East
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Dubai compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Dubai is 30% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Dubai compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$81,677
-$91K (-53%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 0%
Community Insights
NewDubai presents a polarizing but potentially lucrative opportunity for software engineers. The primary draw remains the financial acceleration offered by 0% income tax, which, when combined with a median salary of roughly $81,000, can lead to substantial savings. However, Reddit discussions highlight a 'caste system' in compensation where Western-experienced engineers command significantly higher packages than their peers.
While the city boasts #2 ranking in safety and top-tier infrastructure, the work culture is often criticized for being rigid and demanding. The trade-off is clear: you endure the extreme summer heat and a transient social environment in exchange for rapid wealth accumulation and a luxurious, convenient lifestyle. It is not typically seen as a forever home but rather a strategic 3-5 year career move.
Resident Sentiment
Current residents often describe their time in Dubai as a 'golden handcuffs' scenario. They enjoy the high disposable income and convenience but frequently complain about the soullessness of the city and the difficulty of making deep, long-term connections in a transient population.
Many see it as a temporary phase—a place to 'stack cash' for a few years before moving back home or to a lower-cost country. While few regret the financial boost, there is a common sentiment of burnout regarding the hustle culture and the relentless summer heat.
Rankings
Top 2%
Tax Rate
#2
of 124 cities
0%
Current value (lower is better)
Net Income
#38
of 124 cities
$81,677/yr
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Dubai compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living.
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