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Hong Kong
#82 of 124
Asia

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Hong Kong compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Hong Kong is 53% worse off vs in San Francisco

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

Median Salary
$73,378
-$199K (-73%) vs San Francisco
Based on 178 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$63,986
-$108K (-63%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 13%

Community Insights

New

Hong Kong remains a polarizing but potentially lucrative destination for software engineers. The city offers a unique high-adrenaline lifestyle combining low taxes, intense urban energy, and unmatched travel access. However, the data highlights a stark trade-off: while you keep more of your paycheck (#6 lowest tax rate), your purchasing power (#76) is eroded by world-leading housing costs (#120 affordability). The tech scene is heavily skewed toward Fintech and banking; those looking for Silicon Valley-style innovation or work-life balance may find it stifling, while those in algorithmic trading or crypto can earn fortunes.

Resident Sentiment

Sentiment is decidedly mixed. Long-term expats and locals often express nostalgia for the "old Hong Kong," citing a "brain drain" and shifting political atmosphere as reasons for planning an exit. However, newcomers (fresh transplants) still rave about the efficiency, safety, and social scene, often viewing the city as a fantastic short-to-medium-term career accelerant rather than a permanent home. A common refrain is that Hong Kong is "for working, not living."

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

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

Rankings

Safety Index

Top 4%

#5

of 124 cities

78.6/100

Current value

Tax Rate

Top 6%

#7

of 124 cities

13%

Current value (lower is better)

Community Events

Top 23%

#29

of 124 cities

11 events on luma

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

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

Avg. Property Price
$20,604 / m²
105% 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 Hong Kong to maintain the same standard of living.

$

Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
21% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Hong Kong

Goldman Sachs logo
Goldman Sachs
JPMorgan Chase logo
JPMorgan Chase
Morgan Stanley logo
Morgan Stanley
  • Low Tax Rate: The ~15% (or lower) tax cap is a massive draw, significantly boosting net income compared to Western tech hubs.
  • Safety & Convenience: Ranked #5 globally for safety; world-class MTR public transport means a car is unnecessary.
  • Fintech & Crypto Hub: High demand and lucrative salaries specifically for engineers in High Frequency Trading (HFT), crypto, and banking sectors.
  • Travel Gateway: Perfect base for exploring Asia, with cheap and short flights to Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan.
  • Lifestyle & Nightlife: Vibrant expat social scene, incredible food culture, and easy access to hiking trails and beaches within 30 minutes of the city center.

    • The Bad

    • Tiny, Expensive Housing: Ranked #120 for affordability; residents describe apartments as "shoeboxes" where you pay a premium for very little space.
    • Limited "Pure Tech" Scene: HK is a financial hub, not a tech hub; most engineering roles are IT support for banks rather than innovative product development.
    • Work Culture: Local and mainland Chinese firms often push 996 hours (9am-9pm, 6 days/week) or unpaid overtime; even MNCs can be high-stress.
    • Brain Drain: A noticeable exodus of skilled locals and long-term expats has led to a perceived decline in the city's international diversity and talent pool.
    • Political Climate: Recurring Reddit discussions cite self-censorship and the National Security Law as reasons for uneasiness or leaving.

    The Verdict

    You'll love it if...

    Fintech specialists and HFT engineers looking to maximize earnings during a short stint (2-5 years). Young, single professionals who value nightlife, travel, and low taxes over living space will thrive here. It is also ideal for those wanting a "soft landing" into the Asian market without needing to speak fluent Mandarin immediately.

    Skip it if...

    Families on a budget who need physical space, as affordable 3-bedroom apartments are virtually non-existent. Engineers seeking work-life balance or "pure tech" R&D roles (AI, SaaS startups) will struggle, as will those sensitive to air pollution (#94 ranking) or political restrictions on free speech.

    Updated 11/29/2025

    Weather2.4/10-72% vs San Francisco
    Safety79+99%
    Pollution66+34%
    Events11-78%
    2.4/10TechCities 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
    26°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
    Average Low
    22°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
    Sunshine Hours
    1,836h/yr-1226h/yr(-40%)
    Hottest Month High
    32°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
    Coldest Month Low
    14°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
    Rainy Days
    109/yr+60/yr(+124%)

    Community & Quality

    Hong Kong community pulse

    Hong Kong has 11 Luma events listed.

    78% fewer events than San Francisco.

    Net Income

    Middle of the pack

    #49

    of 124 cities

    $63,986/yr

    Current value

    Purchasing Power

    Middle of the pack

    #82

    of 124 cities

    Pollution Score

    Bottom 25%

    #94

    of 124 cities

    66.1/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Comfortable Weather

    Bottom 16%

    #106

    of 124 cities

    24/100 weather score

    Current value

    Cost of Living

    Bottom 14%

    #108

    of 124 cities

    70/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Home Affordability

    Bottom 4%

    #120

    of 124 cities

    ≈25.8 yrs to buy 80m²

    Current value

    SWE Affordability
    25.8 years
    21.1 years longer than San Francisco
    Muggy Days
    211/yr+211/yr(+105350%)
    Cloud Cover
    55%(vs 34% in San Francisco)