Can I Afford to Live in Lima vs Boston 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.

Lima, PE
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (10% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Boston, MA
$4,723/mo take-home
Rent: $3,000/mo (64% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Lima
PE
Boston
MA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$4,723
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$3,000
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$418
Transport (est.)
$150
$90Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$185
Internet
$25Best ✓
$70
Left after essentials
$3,947/month
$960/month
Lima (Lima Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Boston (MA rate: 5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Lima?

At $80K/year in Lima, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 10% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Boston?

At $80K/year in Boston, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,723. With 1BR rent around $3,000/month, rent takes up 64% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

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

Lima leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,947/month vs $960/month in Boston.

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

Yes. At $80K in Lima, rent takes 10% of your take-home, leaving $3,947/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Lima vs Boston

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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