Can I Afford to Live in Des Moines vs Melbourne on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Des Moines, IA
$6,585/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (18% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Melbourne, AU
$4,800/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Des Moines
IA
Melbourne
AU
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,585Best ✓
$4,800
1BR rent
$1,200Best ✓
$1,600
Groceries (est.)
$365Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$50Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$155
$130Best ✓
Internet
$60Best ✓
$62
Left after essentials
$4,755/month
$2,478/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Des Moines?

At $120K/year in Des Moines, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,585. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 18% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $120K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,800. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 33% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Des Moines leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,755/month vs $2,478/month in Melbourne.

Can I afford to live alone in Des Moines on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in Des Moines, rent takes 18% of your take-home, leaving $4,755/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Des Moines vs Melbourne

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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