Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Lansing on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Medellín, CO
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (6% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Lansing, MI
$8,431/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (14% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Share on X

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Lansing
MI
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,944Best ✓
$8,431
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,200
Groceries (est.)
$380
$361Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$55Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$158
Internet
$30Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$7,829/month
$6,597/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Lansing (MI rate: 4.1%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Medellín?

At $150K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 6% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Lansing?

At $150K/year in Lansing, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,431. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 14% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,829/month vs $6,597/month in Lansing.

Can I afford to live alone in Medellín on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Medellín, rent takes 6% of your take-home, leaving $7,829/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Lansing

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

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