Cushy Index
Salary Guides
Guides to what salaries actually mean after tax, rent and cost of living across the USA, UK, Spain, Europe and for expats.
Direct Answer
A salary guide should answer one question: how comfortable does this pay leave you after local tax and cost of living? These guides cover the USA, UK, Spain, the rest of Europe, and expat hubs.
Key Takeaways
- Gross salary alone is misleading — net pay and rent burden decide comfort.
- The same number buys very different lifestyles across countries.
- Use the calculator to convert any salary into a Cushy Index score.
USA salary guides
High gross, high tax and rent.
UK salary guides
Income tax bands and London rents.
Spain salary guides
IRPF and lower cost of living.
Europe salary guides
Across the eurozone and beyond.
Expat salary guides
Low-tax and high-pay hubs.
FAQ
What makes a salary good?
A good salary leaves comfortable breathing room after tax, rent and core costs — not just a high gross number.
Do these guides account for tax?
Yes. Every guide models local income tax and social contributions before computing comfort.
Calculate your Cushy Index
See your real take-home pay, income rank, rent pressure and lifestyle score.
Open the calculator →Modeled estimate. Actual results may vary.