Can I Afford to Live in Cartagena vs Charleston on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Cartagena, CO
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $560/mo (6% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Charleston, SC
$8,169/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (23% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Cartagena
CO
Charleston
SC
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,944Best ✓
$8,169
1BR rent
$560Best ✓
$1,900
Groceries (est.)
$380
$376Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$55Best ✓
Utilities
$70Best ✓
$162
Internet
$30Best ✓
$63
Left after essentials
$7,754/month
$5,613/month
Cartagena (Bolívar) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Charleston (SC rate: 6.2%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Cartagena?

At $150K/year in Cartagena, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $560/month, rent takes up 6% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Charleston?

At $150K/year in Charleston, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,169. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 23% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Cartagena leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,754/month vs $5,613/month in Charleston.

Can I afford to live alone in Cartagena on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Cartagena, rent takes 6% of your take-home, leaving $7,754/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Cartagena vs Charleston

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

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