Cities with the highest average salaries
Moving for a local job? These catalog cities pay the highest average monthly salaries — shown against what a month there costs, because a big number in an expensive city can still be a bad trade.
Methodology: Ranked by average local monthly salary (USD) from the Jonzy catalog, highest first.
1. Geneva, Switzerland
Avg salary ~$8,500/mo · $4,170/mo costs · Safety 92/100
Average local salary ~$8,500/mo against about $4,170/mo in living costs.
2. San Francisco, United States
Avg salary ~$8,200/mo · $4,730/mo costs · Safety 58/100
Average local salary ~$8,200/mo against about $4,730/mo in living costs.
3. Seattle, United States
Avg salary ~$7,000/mo · $3,720/mo costs · Safety 66/100
Average local salary ~$7,000/mo against about $3,720/mo in living costs.
4. Zurich, Switzerland
Avg salary ~$6,700/mo · $3,660/mo costs · Safety 95/100
Average local salary ~$6,700/mo against about $3,660/mo in living costs.
5. Boston, United States
Avg salary ~$6,500/mo · $4,370/mo costs · Safety 76/100
Average local salary ~$6,500/mo against about $4,370/mo in living costs.
6. Los Angeles, United States
Avg salary ~$6,000/mo · $3,980/mo costs · Safety 62/100
Average local salary ~$6,000/mo against about $3,980/mo in living costs.
7. Monaco, Monaco
Avg salary ~$6,000/mo · $6,230/mo costs · Safety 96/100
Average local salary ~$6,000/mo against about $6,230/mo in living costs.
8. Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Avg salary ~$6,000/mo · $3,090/mo costs · Safety 96/100
Average local salary ~$6,000/mo against about $3,090/mo in living costs.
9. San Diego, United States
Avg salary ~$5,800/mo · $4,050/mo costs · Safety 74/100
Average local salary ~$5,800/mo against about $4,050/mo in living costs.
10. Denver, United States
Avg salary ~$5,600/mo · $3,180/mo costs · Safety 72/100
Average local salary ~$5,600/mo against about $3,180/mo in living costs.
11. Portland, United States
Avg salary ~$5,600/mo · $3,100/mo costs · Safety 64/100
Average local salary ~$5,600/mo against about $3,100/mo in living costs.
12. New York, United States
Avg salary ~$5,500/mo · $4,970/mo costs · Safety 72/100
Average local salary ~$5,500/mo against about $4,970/mo in living costs.
13. Perth, Australia
Avg salary ~$5,200/mo · $2,640/mo costs · Safety 84/100
Average local salary ~$5,200/mo against about $2,640/mo in living costs.
14. Honolulu, United States
Avg salary ~$5,000/mo · $3,990/mo costs · Safety 72/100
Average local salary ~$5,000/mo against about $3,990/mo in living costs.
15. Toronto, Canada
Avg salary ~$5,000/mo · $2,970/mo costs · Safety 74/100
Average local salary ~$5,000/mo against about $2,970/mo in living costs.
Frequently asked questions
Cities with the highest average salaries — which city is #1?
Geneva, Switzerland tops this list. Average local salary ~$8,500/mo against about $4,170/mo in living costs. San Francisco and Seattle round out the top three.
How is this ranking calculated?
Ranked by average local monthly salary (USD) from the Jonzy catalog, highest first. 356 catalog cities qualified for this list; the top 15 are shown. Scores are catalog averages, not personalised — Jonzy re-ranks every city for your own income, passport and lifestyle when you sign in.
How much does it cost to live in the top city?
Geneva runs about $4,170/month all-in for one person — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and everyday extras. See the Geneva city guide for the full cost breakdown, visa options and FAQ.