Can I Afford to Live in Madison vs São Paulo 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.

Madison, WI
$5,679/mo take-home
Rent: $1,650/mo (29% of take-home)
Manageable
São Paulo, BR
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $720/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Madison
WI
São Paulo
BR
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,679
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,650
$720Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$384
$380Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$62Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$162
$85Best ✓
Internet
$63
$32Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,358/month
$4,954/month
São Paulo (São Paulo State) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Madison (WI rate: 7.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Madison?

At $100K/year in Madison, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,679. With 1BR rent around $1,650/month, rent takes up 29% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $100K a good salary in São Paulo?

At $100K/year in São Paulo, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $720/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

São Paulo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,954/month vs $3,358/month in Madison.

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

Yes. At $100K in Madison, rent takes 29% of your take-home, leaving $3,358/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Madison vs São Paulo

$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