Compared to previous generations, many of us have been lucky enough to travel around the world for many different reasons, either for pleasure and curiosity of exploring what we can find behind the doors of our comfort zone or simply for gap years or educational exchanges.
Whichever your reason might be and even though most popular destinations among expats include the UK, the USA and, of course, Australia there are some cities that definitely attract a larger share of expats eager to live and work abroad.
Nestpick, a search aggregator for apartment rentals all over the world, has analysed different factors in some of the most attractive cities for expats in order to assess the costs of renting a flat there and furnishing it.
So what’s the salary vs rent situation in some of the worlds most popular expat cities?
*Values given in US dollars for ease of comparison
London, UK
London has increased its immigrant population dramatically in the last years. Some studies show that one in three people who (in 2016) live in the British capital were born abroad and as a consequence, immigrants are set to become half the city’s population within the next 15 years.
The rents in London are very high of course, in part due to this fact. According to the Nestpick’s study, the minimum salary required to be able to afford rent and live in the city of Big Ben is $5,478.
It might sound like a lot, but if you consider the facts that a standard furnished apartment is estimated to cost circa $1,589 and that a one-way Tube ticket currently stands at around, that minimum salary amount would probably diminish quicker than anywhere else.
London currently stands in the 6th place of the top 100 cities to live in worldwide.
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin can be a very good option for someone willing to experience the whole English speaking experience in Europe first-hand when moving abroad, without having to go to the British capital. Dublin can be just as good, if not even better.
The estimated rent for a furnished apartment now stands at $1,202, significantly lower than London’s and the minimum salary required to live in the capital of the third biggest European island is $4,145.
Dublin is ranked as the 21st city on the list of the top 100 cities to live in.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Still, in Europe, another outstanding option to move to is without a hint of a doubt, the Dutch capital. There is something about the vibes in this city that has been attracting new residents for centuries.
Your estimated income should stand at around $4,326, if you were considering Amsterdam as your new home since the predicted furnished apartment value is currently around $1,254.
Amsterdam is city number 18 in the top 100 cities worldwide list.
Melbourne, Australia
For the non-Aussies among us, head Down Under! A big bunch of expats have at some point considered moving further away and Melbourne is usually one of their first options. The city is located in the most southern point of the Aussie continent and is seen as the Australian capital of culture and sports.
The estimated rent value in Melbourne is now around $1,024 and the minimum salary required to live in the southern city wanders around $3,532 per month.
Melbourne stands in the 30th rank of the top 100 cities to live in worldwide.
New York, USA
Last but not least, if the American dream is what you are aiming for when moving abroad, New York might be it. The American urban jungle is one of the most visited cities on planet Earth and its minimum required salary grazes $7,000.
The estimated monthly rent stands at around $1,987. Not too bad for the 2nd city in the ranking of the top 100 cities to live in worldwide. Good ole New York!
