I can chime in about Berlin. Your average Senior SWE will make 3,900 euro after tax, a decent 1br apartment might be 1,200. You can save around 1,500/mo after expenses if you don't go crazy.
Cluj, Romania, senior developer, €3,300 after tax. Nice 1 bedroom apartment rent/mortgage + expenses is €400 per month. So a bit ahead the Berlin guy after living expenses.
Salaries in Europe are shit compared to US and I've zero incentive to move to Western Europe for the average wage I'd be making there.
Salaries in Europe are shit compared to US and I've zero incentive to move to Western Europe for the average wage I'd be making there.