Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Las Cruces 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
Las Cruces, NM
$4,730/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (21% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Las Cruces
NM
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$4,730
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,000
Groceries (est.)
$380
$350Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$38Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$152
Internet
$30Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$3,942/month
$3,130/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Las Cruces (NM rate: 4.9%).

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 Las Cruces?

At $80K/year in Las Cruces, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,730. With 1BR rent around $1,000/month, rent takes up 21% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,942/month vs $3,130/month in Las Cruces.

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 Las Cruces

$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