Working couples in Zurich and Geneva have the highest disposable income after paying rent among 28 European cities, while households in Lisbon and Milan are left with far less, according to the Mapping the World’s Prices 2026 report published by Deutsche Bank Research Institute.
The report compares the combined local net salaries of two working adults with the cost of renting a three-bedroom apartment in each city centre. The remaining amount represents household income after rent, before other living expenses such as food, transport and utility bills are deducted.
Across the 28 European cities examined, the monthly amount left after rent ranges from just €253 in Lisbon to €9,140 in Zurich, highlighting substantial differences in salaries and housing costs.
Zurich ranks first, with a combined monthly income of €14,642 and rent of €5,502. Geneva follows with €8,783 remaining after rent, supported by a net salary of €6,516 per person. Luxembourg ranks third, with €5,890 left after rent.
Birmingham records €5,238, narrowly ahead of Copenhagen at €5,233. Despite higher salaries in London, couples in Birmingham have €2,090 more left each month after rent. A three-bedroom city-centre apartment costs €1,949 in Birmingham, compared with €4,362 in London.
Other cities where couples retain more than €4,000 monthly after rent include Oslo at €4,936, Frankfurt at €4,786, Munich at €4,575 and Amsterdam at €4,431. Amsterdam has some of Europe’s highest rents, at €3,542, but its relatively high net salaries help offset the cost.
Dublin and Paris face pressure from housing costs
Dublin’s average net salary of €3,455 is higher than those recorded in Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Stockholm. However, couples in Dublin have €3,038 left after rent, less than households in those cities. A three-bedroom apartment in the Irish capital costs €3,873 monthly, the fourth-highest rent among the European cities surveyed.
Berlin also leaves couples with more money than Paris despite lower salaries. Households in Berlin retain €3,554 after rent, compared with €3,336 in Paris. The difference reflects lower rental costs in Berlin, where a three-bedroom apartment costs €2,339, against €3,005 in Paris.
Southern European cities generally record lower amounts remaining after rent. Couples in Milan have €697 left each month, while those in Madrid retain €1,905 and households in Barcelona €1,832. The figures fall to €1,265 in Rome and €1,148 in Athens.
Lisbon ranks last among the 28 European cities, with just €253 remaining after rent. Its average net salary is €1,408, while monthly rent reaches €2,561. Istanbul, also included in the European comparison, leaves couples with €353 after rent.
Central and Eastern European cities perform better than several southern capitals. Couples retain €2,054 in Prague, €1,985 in Warsaw and €1,548 in Budapest.
Rent exceeds one salary in 11 cities
The report identifies 11 cities where the rent for a three-bedroom apartment exceeds one local net salary. They include Athens, Barcelona, Budapest, Dublin, Istanbul, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Prague and Rome.
Lisbon has the widest gap between rent and one salary. Its monthly rent of €2,561 is 82% higher than the average net salary of €1,408. In Milan, rent of €3,184 also exceeds the average net salary of €1,940.
The global comparison covers 69 cities. Zurich and Geneva occupy the top two positions, followed by San Francisco, where couples have €7,992 remaining after rent. Seven of the global top 10 are European cities.
At the other end, Manila records a negative balance of €882 and Bangkok negative €759, indicating that two net salaries are insufficient to cover the rent used in the comparison. Moscow leaves couples with €313, while New York records €1,921.
The figures underline the importance of housing costs in determining household finances. With rents and house prices continuing to rise in many European countries, the report shows how location can make a substantial difference to the money working couples have available for other expenses.
