Community Events
#33
of 124 cities
11 events on luma
Current value
#122 of 124
Europe
Milan
Italy
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Milan compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Milan is 78% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Milan compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$25,754
-$147K (-85%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 38%
Community Insights
NewMilan offers a distinct lifestyle-first proposition that clashes with the typical software engineer's goal of high financial return. While it is the economic engine of Italy, the tech salaries do not scale to match the soaring cost of living, leaving many engineers with low purchasing power. The city excels in cultural vibrancy, food, and connectivity to the rest of Europe, making it a fun place to live if money isn't the primary driver. However, residents constantly battle severe air pollution, a hostile housing market, and legendary bureaucratic friction.
Resident Sentiment
The sentiment is bittersweet. Expats and transplants often fall in love with the social life and beauty of Italy but express deep frustration with the financial reality. A common theme is the feeling of 'treading water'—working hard but saving little. Many view Milan as a temporary chapter to enjoy their 20s or 30s before moving to a country with better wages and family support systems.
Rankings
Top 27%
Comfortable Weather
#47
of 124 cities
48/100 weather score
Current value
Cost of Living
#86
of 124 cities
59/100
Current value (lower is better)
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Milan compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Milan to maintain the same standard of living.
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