Can I Afford to Live in Baltimore vs Oaxaca on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Baltimore, MD
$4,737/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (40% of take-home)
Tight
Oaxaca, MX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $400/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Baltimore
MD
Oaxaca
MX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,737
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,900
$400Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$391
$380Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$88Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$175
$45Best ✓
Internet
$65
$25Best ✓
Left after essentials
$2,118/month
$4,057/month
Oaxaca (Oaxaca) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Baltimore (MD rate: 4.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Baltimore?

At $80K/year in Baltimore, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,737. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 40% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $80K a good salary in Oaxaca?

At $80K/year in Oaxaca, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $400/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Oaxaca leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,057/month vs $2,118/month in Baltimore.

Can I afford to live alone in Baltimore on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in Baltimore would take 40% of your $80K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Baltimore vs Oaxaca

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$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