Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Tokyo vs Bangalore

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Tokyo
$53,034
/ year
+154%
difference
Bangalore
$20,862
/ year
Bottom line: Bangalore offers better purchasing power despite Tokyo paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Tokyo
Bangalore
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$53,034✓ higher
$20,862
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$35,188✓ higher
$13,842
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$79,932✓ higher
$31,443
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$38,715✓ higher
$17,107
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$39,284
$46,360✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
0.45×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$5,207,824✓ higher
$1,148,886
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$11,829,936✓ higher
$2,609,769

What if you move from Tokyo to Bangalore?

Gross salary change
$32,172
154% decrease
Take-home change
$21,608
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,076
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Tokyo$53,034
P10: $5,207,824Median: $53,034P90: $11,829,936
Bangalore$20,862
P10: $1,148,886Median: $20,862P90: $2,609,769

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Software Engineer earn more in Tokyo or Bangalore?

The median Software Engineer salary in Tokyo is ¥7,849,032/yr compared to ₹1,731,546/yr in Bangalore. Tokyo pays 154% more in gross terms.

Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Tokyo or Bangalore after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Tokyo salary has the purchasing power of $39,284/yr in a median-cost city, vs $46,360/yr for Bangalore. Bangalore offers stronger real purchasing power.

What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Tokyo vs Bangalore?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Tokyo takes home approximately $38,715/yr, vs $17,107/yr in Bangalore. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.