Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Sacramento on $75K?

Here's how a $75K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Medellín, CO
$4,741/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Sacramento, CA
$4,159/mo take-home
Rent: $2,000/mo (48% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Sacramento
CA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,741Best ✓
$4,159
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$2,000
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$403
Transport (est.)
$150
$100Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$150
Internet
$30Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$3,626/month
$1,441/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Sacramento (CA rate: 9.3%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $75K a good salary in Medellín?

At $75K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,741. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $75K a good salary in Sacramento?

At $75K/year in Sacramento, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,159. With 1BR rent around $2,000/month, rent takes up 48% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $75K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,626/month vs $1,441/month in Sacramento.

Can I afford to live alone in Medellín on $75K?

Yes. At $75K in Medellín, rent takes 11% of your take-home, leaving $3,626/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Sacramento

$40K$50K$60K$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