Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Little Rock 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
Little Rock, AR
$4,763/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (23% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Little Rock
AR
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$4,763
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,100
Groceries (est.)
$380
$353Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$40Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$168
Internet
$30Best ✓
$58
Left after essentials
$3,942/month
$3,044/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Little Rock (AR rate: 4.4%).

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 Little Rock?

At $80K/year in Little Rock, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,763. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 23% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

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

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,942/month vs $3,044/month in Little Rock.

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 Little Rock

$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