Can I Afford to Live in Madrid vs New York 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.

Madrid, ES
$5,055/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (24% of take-home)
Comfortable
New York, NY
$6,465/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (54% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Madrid
ES
New York
NY
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,055
$6,465Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,200Best ✓
$3,500
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$437
Transport (est.)
$150
$132Best ✓
Utilities
$95Best ✓
$180
Internet
$35Best ✓
$75
Left after essentials
$3,195/month
$2,141/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Madrid?

At $120K/year in Madrid, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,055. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 24% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in New York?

At $120K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,465. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 54% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

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

Madrid leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,195/month vs $2,141/month in New York.

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

Yes. At $120K in Madrid, rent takes 24% of your take-home, leaving $3,195/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Madrid vs New York

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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