Highest Take-Home
Saudi Arabia
2025
9.8%
effective tax rate
Take-home
$90,250
$7,521/mo
Social 10%
On a $100,000 salary, you'd take home $90,250 in Saudi Arabia versus $73,812 in United States.
Saudi Arabia
$90,250
+$16,438/year
United States
$73,812
That's $1,370 more per month in Saudi Arabia
Side-by-side breakdown
United States
2025 · California
26.2%
effective tax rate
Take-home
$73,812
$6,151/mo
Income 13% State 4% Social 9%
Tax rate by income level
Effective Tax Rate by Income
Shows effective tax rate (total tax / gross income) at different income levels in USD
Understanding the difference
Life & Taxes
Chasing Dreams and Sunsets
From the tech-driven valleys of California to the gleaming skylines of Riyadh, these two nations attract ambitious professionals for vastly different reasons. While the U.S. offers the quintessential 'American Dream' of innovation and diversity, Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a magnet for expats seeking high-speed career growth and a luxurious, family-oriented lifestyle.
Lifestyle and Living Vibes
Life in the U.S. is a choose-your-own-adventure of bustling metros and scenic suburbs, though it often comes with a fast-paced 'hustle' culture and complex living costs. In contrast, Saudi Arabia offers a unique blend of ancient tradition and hyper-modernity, where the pace is often dictated by warm hospitality, social gatherings, and a growing entertainment scene.
The Great Tax Divide
The tax landscape couldn't be more different: the U.S. employs a multi-layered system with progressive brackets at both federal and state levels, demanding careful planning. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia remains a rare tax-free haven for individual employment income, allowing workers to keep their entire gross salary without worrying about income tax filings.
Contributing to the Future
U.S. taxes fund a massive social infrastructure including Social Security and Medicare, though individuals often supplement this with private insurance and retirement funds. In the Kingdom, social contributions (GOSI) are generally reserved for nationals, meaning expats often enjoy a higher immediate liquidity, though they must take full responsibility for their own long-term financial safety nets.
The Final Verdict
The U.S. is the ultimate playground for those who value variety and built-in legal protections, even if it means a hefty tax bill. However, if your primary goal is rapid wealth accumulation and a tax-free paycheck in a rapidly evolving global hub, Saudi Arabia is the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Detailed tax breakdown
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