Can I Afford to Live in Houston vs Vilnius 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
Vilnius, LT
$3,723/mo take-home
Rent: $800/mo (21% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Houston
TX
Vilnius
LT
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$3,723
1BR rent
$1,350
$800Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$357Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$90Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$175
$95Best ✓
Internet
$65
$28Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,020/month
$2,270/month
Houston (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Vilnius (LT rate: 20%).

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 Vilnius?

At $80K/year in Vilnius, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,723. With 1BR rent around $800/month, rent takes up 21% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Houston leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,020/month vs $2,270/month in Vilnius.

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 Vilnius

$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