Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Salt Lake City on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Medellín, CO
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Salt Lake City, UT
$5,929/mo take-home
Rent: $1,700/mo (29% of take-home)
Manageable

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Salt Lake City
UT
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$5,929
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,700
Groceries (est.)
$380
$372Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$90Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$150
Internet
$30Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$5,206/month
$3,557/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Salt Lake City (UT rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Medellín?

At $100K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Salt Lake City?

At $100K/year in Salt Lake City, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,929. With 1BR rent around $1,700/month, rent takes up 29% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,206/month vs $3,557/month in Salt Lake City.

Can I afford to live alone in Medellín on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Medellín, rent takes 8% of your take-home, leaving $5,206/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Salt Lake City

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$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