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Mohamed Oun
Melbourne
#59 of 124
Oceania

Melbourne

Australia

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Melbourne compare to Manila?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Melbourne is 106% better off vs in Manila

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

Median Salary
$90,019
+$72K (+389%) vs Manila
Based on 516 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$63,733
+$49K (+333%) vs Manila
Tax Rate: 29%

Community Insights

New

Melbourne offers a compelling lifestyle-first proposition for software engineers. While it may not match the raw earning potential of US hubs or the corporate volume of Sydney, it compensates with a vibrant cultural scene, excellent work-life balance, and a strong, innovative startup community. The city is ideal for those who want a serious tech career without the burnout, supported by decent purchasing power and high safety standards. However, the smaller market size and unpredictable weather are frequent points of friction for newcomers.

Resident Sentiment

Transplants generally love the lifestyle and rarely regret the move for social reasons, often highlighting the relaxed pace and friendly atmosphere. However, there is a common undercurrent of frustration regarding salary compression compared to global standards and the high cost of housing. While the "livability" hype is seen as justified, some ambitious engineers eventually move to Sydney or back overseas to break through career ceilings.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

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

Rankings

Comfortable Weather

Top 13%

#16

of 124 cities

85/100 weather score

Current value

Pollution Score

Top 16%

#20

of 124 cities

28.6/100

Current value (lower is better)

Tax Rate

Middle of the pack

#43

of 124 cities

29%

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Melbourne compared to Manila?

Avg. Property Price
$6,328 / m²
79% more expensive than Manila
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

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

$

Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
110% more expensive than Manila
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Melbourne

Block logo
Block
Atlassian logo
Atlassian
Canva logo
Canva
Work-life balance is frequently cited as superior to the US, with a "work to live" culture rather than "live to work".
  • Consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities, praised for its arts, coffee culture, and food scene.
  • Strong startup ecosystem (particularly in EdTech, HealthTech, and creative industries) offering an innovative alternative to corporate finance tech.
  • Public transport is extensive, with the iconic tram network making commuting easier compared to other Australian cities.
  • Lower cost of living and housing compared to Sydney, while still offering a major metropolitan experience.
  • High safety and clean environment (Pollution Index #19), making it attractive for families.

    • The Bad

    • Salaries are significantly lower than US tech hubs and often lag behind Sydney for similar roles.
    • The tech market size is smaller than Sydney's, meaning fewer HQ-level opportunities and potentially a lower career ceiling for very senior ICs (Staff/Principal).
    • Weather is notoriously unpredictable ("four seasons in one day") and generally colder/wetter than other Australian capitals.
    • Housing affordability remains a major issue (ranked #61 globally), with buying a flat requiring ~8 years of net salary.
    • Geographic isolation leads to difficult time zones for collaborating with US or European teams and expensive international travel.

    The Verdict

    You'll love it if...

    Engineers valuing quality of life over maximum compensation will thrive here. It is an ideal destination for families and mid-to-senior developers looking to escape the "grind" culture of US tech hubs. Those interested in startups, creative tech, or EdTech will find a welcoming niche. It also suits those who prefer a city with a European cultural feel (trams, cafes, arts) over a glossy corporate aesthetic.

    Skip it if...

    Aggressive career climbers seeking FAANG-level packages or rapid advancement to Principal/Distinguished roles in massive organizations might feel limited by the smaller local market. Those who struggle with cold or gloomy weather should avoid it. Additionally, engineers who need to maintain tight synchronous working hours with teams in the US or Europe will find the time zone difference brutal.

    Updated 11/29/2025

    Weather8.5/10+467% vs Manila
    Safety56+58%
    Pollution29-68%
    Events4+33%
    8.5/10TechCities weather score vs 1.5/10 in Manila

    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
    19°C(vs 32°C in Manila)
    Average Low
    10°C(vs 25°C in Manila)
    Sunshine Hours
    2,363h/yr+260h/yr(+12%)
    Hottest Month High
    25°C(vs 34°C in Manila)
    Coldest Month Low
    6°C(vs 23°C in Manila)
    Rainy Days
    89/yr-63/yr(-42%)

    Community & Quality

    Melbourne community pulse

    Melbourne has 4 Luma events listed.

    33% more events than Manila.

    Net Income

    Middle of the pack

    #50

    of 124 cities

    $63,733/yr

    Current value

    Home Affordability

    Middle of the pack

    #55

    of 124 cities

    ≈7.9 yrs to buy 80m²

    Current value

    Community Events

    Middle of the pack

    #59

    of 124 cities

    4 events on luma

    Current value

    Purchasing Power

    Middle of the pack

    #59

    of 124 cities

    Safety Index

    Middle of the pack

    #61

    of 124 cities

    55.8/100

    Current value

    Cost of Living

    Middle of the pack

    #78

    of 124 cities

    57/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    SWE Affordability
    7.9 years
    11.2 years quicker than Manila
    Muggy Days
    3/yr-360/yr(-99%)
    Cloud Cover
    37%(vs 74% in Manila)