Can I Afford to Live in Des Moines vs Medellín 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.

Des Moines, IA
$5,846/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (21% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Medellín, CO
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Des Moines
IA
Medellín
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,846
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,200
$500Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$365Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$50Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$155
$55Best ✓
Internet
$60
$30Best ✓
Left after essentials
$4,016/month
$5,206/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Des Moines (IA rate: 5.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Des Moines?

At $100K/year in Des Moines, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,846. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 21% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Medellín?

At $100K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,206/month vs $4,016/month in Des Moines.

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

Yes. At $100K in Des Moines, rent takes 21% of your take-home, leaving $4,016/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Des Moines vs Medellín

$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