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Geneva
#56 of 124
Europe

Geneva

Switzerland

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Geneva compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Geneva is 41% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Geneva compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$143,841
-$129K (-47%) vs San Francisco
Based on 745 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$107,881
-$65K (-37%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 25%

Community Insights

New

Geneva offers a lucrative but exclusive environment for software engineers, characterized by high salaries and an exceptional standard of living. While the financial rewards (high net income, low taxes) are substantial, they are balanced against an extreme cost of living and a notoriously difficult housing market. The tech scene is niche, focusing heavily on fintech, trading, and international organizations rather than the broad startup ecosystem found in Zurich. For those who can secure a high-paying role and navigate the housing hurdles, it provides a safe, clean, and strategically located base in the heart of Europe.

Resident Sentiment

Transplants generally enjoy the high purchasing power and work-life balance, often praising the ability to save money despite the costs. However, there is a strong sentiment of frustration regarding the housing market, with many stories of taking months to find a flat. Some residents, especially younger ones, express boredom with the social life and compare it unfavorably to Zurich's more energetic vibe, though they appreciate the nature and safety.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Net Income

Top 10%

#12

of 124 cities

$107,881/yr

Current value

Pollution Score

Top 11%

#14

of 124 cities

24.7/100

Current value (lower is better)

Tax Rate

Top 19%

#24

of 124 cities

25%

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Geneva compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$20,157 / m²
101% more expensive than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Geneva to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
5% more expensive than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Geneva

Facebook logo
Facebook
Google logo
Google
Huawei logo
Huawei
  • High salaries: Median software engineer salary is around $143k, offering significant purchasing power even with the high cost of living.
  • Low tax rate: At approximately 25%, the tax burden is significantly lower than in many other major European tech hubs.
  • Strategic location: Excellent proximity to the Alps for skiing, hiking, and outdoor activities, plus a central location in Europe for travel.
  • International atmosphere: Home to the UN, CERN, and WHO, creating a diverse, multicultural environment where English is widely understood in professional circles.
  • High quality of life: Exceptional safety, clean air (low pollution), and reliable public infrastructure.
  • Strong fintech and trading sector: While smaller than Zurich's general tech scene, Geneva offers lucrative opportunities in private banking, commodity trading, and specialized financial software.

The Bad

  • Housing crisis: The rental market is notoriously difficult with a vacancy rate often under 0.5%, making finding an apartment a nightmare for newcomers.
  • Extremely high cost of living: Ranked #122 out of 124 for affordability; everyday expenses, health insurance, and dining out are very expensive.
  • Smaller tech scene: Compared to Zurich, the job market for pure software engineering is smaller and less dynamic, with fewer major tech giants.
  • Language barrier: While English is common at work, daily life and administrative tasks often require French, and integration can be harder without it.
  • Socially quiet: Often described as "boring" by younger transplants; nightlife is limited and the city can feel very quiet on weekends.
  • Job market competitiveness: High salaries attract top talent, making the market competitive, especially for junior roles which are scarce.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Senior engineers and specialists in fintech or commodity trading will find the most lucrative opportunities here. It is an ideal city for outdoor enthusiasts who want easy access to the Alps and the lake, as well as families prioritizing safety and high-quality education. People who prefer a calm, orderly lifestyle over a chaotic urban buzz and are willing to learn French to integrate will thrive.

Skip it if...

Junior developers or those with limited experience may struggle to find roles that justify the high cost of living. Individuals seeking a vibrant nightlife or a bustling, large-scale tech community (like London or Berlin) will likely find Geneva too quiet and small. Those who are budget-conscious or unable to deal with the stress of a highly competitive housing search should also consider other cities.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather4.1/10-53% vs San Francisco
Safety71+79%
Pollution25-50%
Events3-94%
4.1/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
15°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
6°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
1,887h/yr-1175h/yr(-38%)
Hottest Month High
26°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
-1°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
111/yr+62/yr(+128%)

Community & Quality

Geneva community pulse

Geneva has 3 Luma events listed.

94% fewer events than San Francisco.

Safety Index

Top 23%

#28

of 124 cities

70.6/100

Current value

Purchasing Power

Middle of the pack

#56

of 124 cities

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#64

of 124 cities

3 events on luma

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Middle of the pack

#68

of 124 cities

41/100 weather score

Current value

Home Affordability

Bottom 19%

#102

of 124 cities

≈14.9 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Cost of Living

Bottom 3%

#122

of 124 cities

94/100

Current value (lower is better)

SWE Affordability
14.9 years
10.3 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
1/yr(same as San Francisco)
Cloud Cover
50%(vs 34% in San Francisco)