Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Lisbon on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Medellín, CO
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (18% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Lisbon, PT
$2,062/mo take-home
Rent: $1,400/mo (68% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Lisbon
PT
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,728Best ✓
$2,062
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,400
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$150Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$90
Internet
$30Best ✓
$35
Left after essentials
$1,613/month
$7/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Lisbon (PT rate: 20%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Medellín?

At $40K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 18% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $40K a good salary in Lisbon?

At $40K/year in Lisbon, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,062. With 1BR rent around $1,400/month, rent takes up 68% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,613/month vs $7/month in Lisbon.

Can I afford to live alone in Medellín on $40K?

Yes. At $40K in Medellín, rent takes 18% of your take-home, leaving $1,613/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Lisbon

$50K$60K$75K$80K$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