Cushy Index data sources
Cushy Index combines country salary benchmarks, simplified tax assumptions, city cost estimates and static exchange-rate assumptions to compare lifestyle power across global cities.
Source coverage by country
| Country | Income benchmark source | Tax source | Cost sources | Confidence | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | IRS SOI, Census Bureau | IRS federal brackets with state and city caveats | BLS, Numbeo, ECA | Medium | Jun 2026 |
| UK | ONS, HMRC | HMRC income tax and National Insurance assumptions | ONS, Numbeo, ECA | Medium-high | Jun 2026 |
| Spain | INE, AEAT | IRPF and social contribution assumptions | INE, Numbeo | High | Jun 2026 |
| France | INSEE, DGFiP | National income tax model assumptions | INSEE, Numbeo | Medium | Jun 2026 |
| Germany | Destatis, IAB | Federal income tax and social contribution assumptions | Destatis, Numbeo | Medium | Jun 2026 |
| Netherlands | CBS StatLine | Dutch income tax assumptions | CBS, Numbeo | Medium | Jun 2026 |
| Portugal | INE Portugal | Portuguese employee tax assumptions | INE, Numbeo | Medium | Jun 2026 |
| UAE | UAE Central Bank and salary benchmarks | Income tax assumptions for salary income | Numbeo, ECA | Modeled | Jun 2026 |
Model source matrix
| Area | What it covers | Source type | Update frequency | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax model | Gross-to-net assumptions | Official tax & contribution rules where available | Annual / on rule change | Medium-high |
| Rent model | Typical rent assumptions by city | Public market benchmarks & modeled estimates | Quarterly | Medium |
| Cost model | Groceries, utilities, transport, childcare | Public benchmarks & modeled estimates | Quarterly | Medium |
| Income rank | Salary percentile estimates | Public statistical & benchmark data | Annual | Medium |
| Salary swap | Equivalent salary estimates | Combined Cushy Index model | On model update | Directional |
Priority cluster notes
UAE / Dubai
Tax: personal income tax is generally not applied to most UAE employment salary income, so take-home is modeled as close to gross (directional; residency and cross-border rules may still matter). Rent and cost figures are modeled from public benchmarks. Income rank is modeled, not official microdata. School fees and employer allowances are not included in base estimates.
Spain / Barcelona
Tax: IRPF and employee social-contribution assumptions based on published 2025/2026 rules (medium-high confidence). Rent and cost figures are modeled from public benchmarks (medium). Income percentile thresholds are benchmark estimates (medium), not official microdata.
UK / London
Tax: HMRC income tax and National Insurance assumptions based on published bands (medium-high). Rent and cost figures are modeled from public benchmarks (medium). Income percentile thresholds are benchmark estimates (medium).
Official vs modeled vs directional: tax bands are drawn from official rules where available; rent, cost and percentile figures are modeled estimates from public benchmarks; salary-swap equivalence is directional model output. Data last reviewed: June 2026.
Confidence labels
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| High | Strong public statistics and stable tax assumptions. Best for directional planning. |
| Medium-high | Good source coverage, but household and deduction differences can matter. |
| Medium | Reliable directional benchmark, with local or personal caveats. |
| Modeled | Useful for comparison, but dependent on benchmark data and simplified assumptions. |
What the model includes
Income distributions
National salary percentiles and top-income thresholds.
Employee tax models
Simplified gross-to-net assumptions by country.
City cost benchmarks
Rent, groceries, utilities, transport and core lifestyle costs.
Exchange rates
Static 2026 modeled rates used to compare salary power across currencies.
Known limitations
Public salary and cost datasets are imperfect. Rent can move quickly, tax rules can change, and household-specific deductions or benefits are not always visible. Cushy Index is strongest for structured comparison between cities and salary levels.
FAQ
Are Cushy Index numbers official?
No. They are modeled estimates built from public statistics, salary benchmarks, simplified tax models and cost-of-living data.
How often is the model updated?
Core model assumptions are reviewed periodically. High-volatility categories such as rent, exchange rates and inflation are monitored more closely.
Why can results differ from a payslip?
Actual pay depends on benefits, deductions, pension contributions, filing status, employer setup, city rules and household-specific costs.
Read the methodology
See how Cushy Index turns salary, tax, rent and local costs into a single lifestyle-power score.
Open methodology