Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Auckland 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.

Medellín, CO
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (10% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Auckland, NZ
$3,890/mo take-home
Rent: $1,700/mo (44% of take-home)
Tight
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Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Auckland
NZ
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$3,890
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,700
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$150Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$120
Internet
$30Best ✓
$55
Left after essentials
$3,942/month
$1,485/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Auckland (NZ rate: 17.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Medellín?

At $80K/year in Medellín, 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 Auckland?

At $80K/year in Auckland, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,890. With 1BR rent around $1,700/month, rent takes up 44% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

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

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,942/month vs $1,485/month in Auckland.

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

Yes. At $80K in Medellín, rent takes 10% of your take-home, leaving $3,942/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Auckland

$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