Can I Afford to Live in Houston vs Melbourne 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.

Houston, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,350/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
Melbourne, AU
$3,200/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (50% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Houston
TX
Melbourne
AU
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$3,200
1BR rent
$1,350Best ✓
$1,600
Groceries (est.)
$357Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$90Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$175
$130Best ✓
Internet
$65
$62Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,020/month
$878/month
Houston (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Melbourne (AU rate: 45%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Houston?

At $80K/year in Houston, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,350/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $80K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,200. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 50% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

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

Houston leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,020/month vs $878/month in Melbourne.

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

Yes. At $80K in Houston, rent takes 27% of your take-home, leaving $3,020/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Houston vs Melbourne

$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