Can I Afford to Live in Cartagena vs Richmond 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.

Cartagena, CO
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $560/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Richmond, VA
$4,670/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (34% of take-home)
Manageable

Monthly budget breakdown

Cartagena
CO
Richmond
VA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$4,670
1BR rent
$560Best ✓
$1,600
Groceries (est.)
$380
$369Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$70Best ✓
Utilities
$70Best ✓
$155
Internet
$30Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$3,867/month
$2,416/month
Cartagena (Bolívar) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Richmond (VA rate: 5.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Cartagena?

At $80K/year in Cartagena, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $560/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Richmond?

At $80K/year in Richmond, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,670. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 34% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

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

Cartagena leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,867/month vs $2,416/month in Richmond.

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

Yes. At $80K in Cartagena, rent takes 11% of your take-home, leaving $3,867/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Cartagena vs Richmond

$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