Can I Afford to Live in Columbia vs El Paso on $60K?

Here's how a $60K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Columbia, MO
$3,558/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (35% of take-home)
Tight
El Paso, TX
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $1,050/mo (28% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Columbia
MO
El Paso
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,558
$3,793Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,250
$1,050Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$365
$346Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$45
$40Best ✓
Utilities
$158Best ✓
$175
Internet
$60Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$1,680/month
$2,122/month
El Paso (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Columbia (MO rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $60K a good salary in Columbia?

At $60K/year in Columbia, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,558. With 1BR rent around $1,250/month, rent takes up 35% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $60K a good salary in El Paso?

At $60K/year in El Paso, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,793. With 1BR rent around $1,050/month, rent takes up 28% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $60K salary?

El Paso leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,122/month vs $1,680/month in Columbia.

Can I afford to live alone in Columbia on $60K?

It's tight. Rent in Columbia would take 35% of your $60K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Columbia vs El Paso

$40K$50K$75K$80K$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