Home Affordability
#55
of 124 cities
≈7.9 yrs to buy 80m²
Current value
#91 of 124
Europe
Manchester
United Kingdom
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Manchester compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Manchester is 56% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Manchester compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$48,034
-$124K (-72%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 32%
Community Insights
NewManchester offers a compelling alternative to London for software engineers who want a genuine "big city" experience without the suffocating costs. It balances a growing tech scene and vibrant cultural life with a distinctively gritty, industrial character. While it lacks the polish and high salaries of the capital, it compensates with affordability and a friendlier social atmosphere. However, residents must be prepared for the gloomy weather and visible social issues in the city center.
Resident Sentiment
Most transplants feel the move was worth it, citing the ability to actually buy property and have a disposable income as a game-changer. There is a strong sense of pride in the city's identity, though long-term residents often grumble about the gentrification and rising costs eroding the city's original character. The sentiment is generally "it's not perfect, but it's real and it's home."
The Good
Rankings
Middle of the pack
Tax Rate
#67
of 124 cities
32%
Current value (lower is better)
Net Income
#72
of 124 cities
$48,034/yr
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Manchester compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Manchester to maintain the same standard of living.
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