Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Santa Fe on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Medellín, CO
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (7% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Santa Fe, NM
$6,665/mo take-home
Rent: $1,550/mo (23% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Santa Fe
NM
Monthly take-home (est.)
$7,155Best ✓
$6,665
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,550
Groceries (est.)
$380
$376Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$40Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$158
Internet
$30Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$6,040/month
$4,476/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Santa Fe (NM rate: 4.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Medellín?

At $120K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,155. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 7% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in Santa Fe?

At $120K/year in Santa Fe, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,665. With 1BR rent around $1,550/month, rent takes up 23% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $6,040/month vs $4,476/month in Santa Fe.

Can I afford to live alone in Medellín on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in Medellín, rent takes 7% of your take-home, leaving $6,040/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Santa Fe

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$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