Comfortable Weather
#16
of 124 cities
85/100 weather score
Current value
#60 of 124
Oceania
Melbourne
Australia
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Melbourne compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Melbourne is 42% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Melbourne compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$63,733
-$109K (-63%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 29%
Community Insights
NewMelbourne 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
Rankings
Top 13%
Pollution Score
#19
of 124 cities
27.9/100
Current value (lower is better)
Community Events
#32
of 124 cities
10 events on luma
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Melbourne compared to San Francisco?
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.
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