Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Kansas City 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.

Medellín, CO
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Kansas City, MO
$5,871/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (20% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Kansas City
MO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$5,871
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,200
Groceries (est.)
$380
$361Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$70Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$165
Internet
$30Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$5,206/month
$4,015/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Kansas City (MO rate: 5.4%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Medellín?

At $100K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Kansas City?

At $100K/year in Kansas City, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,871. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 20% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,206/month vs $4,015/month in Kansas City.

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

Yes. At $100K in Medellín, rent takes 8% of your take-home, leaving $5,206/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Kansas City

$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