Can I Afford to Live in Austin vs Cape Town on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Austin, TX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (28% of take-home)
Manageable
Cape Town, ZA
$4,821/mo take-home
Rent: $600/mo (12% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Austin
TX
Cape Town
ZA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$4,821
1BR rent
$1,800
$600Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$372Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$50Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$170
$80Best ✓
Internet
$65
$50Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,864/month
$3,561/month
Austin (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Cape Town (ZA rate: 18%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Austin?

At $100K/year in Austin, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 28% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $100K a good salary in Cape Town?

At $100K/year in Cape Town, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,821. With 1BR rent around $600/month, rent takes up 12% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Austin leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,864/month vs $3,561/month in Cape Town.

Can I afford to live alone in Austin on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Austin, rent takes 28% of your take-home, leaving $3,864/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Austin vs Cape Town

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only