Advice on Expectations on Moving to the US (Salt Lake City) for a Tech Lead Role

Hi everyone,

I'm currently based in India and have an opportunity to relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah, for a Manager role in the IT sector. I have 10+ years of experience, and currently, my annual compensation is equivalent to ~$100k USD in INR.

Back home, I live a very comfortable lifestyle:

  • Own two vehicles (car and two-wheeler)
  • Take multiple domestic and 1–2 international trips annually
  • Save a large portion of my income
  • No compromise on comfort, convenience, or leisure

From what I've researched, SLC has a relatively lower cost of living than major US metros (like SF or NYC). However, I’ve seen salary estimates in the range of $160k–180k for similar roles, and I'm not sure if that’s enough to maintain (or upgrade) my current lifestyle.

My questions:

  1. What’s a realistic salary expectation for Tech Lead Manager in SLC?
  2. Is $160–180k enough to live well, travel, own a car, save, and not downgrade my lifestyle?
  3. What other non-salary factors should I be considering before making this move? (taxes, healthcare, retirement savings, etc.)
  4. Would you personally make the move, given this situation?

Appreciate any insights, especially from folks in SLC or those who’ve moved from India to the US under similar circumstances.

Posted Jul 5, 2025, 11:45 AM UTC

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