Can I Afford to Live in Medellín vs Wilmington on $50K?

Here's how a $50K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Medellín, CO
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (16% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Wilmington, NC
$2,973/mo take-home
Rent: $1,550/mo (52% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Medellín
CO
Wilmington
NC
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,160Best ✓
$2,973
1BR rent
$500Best ✓
$1,550
Groceries (est.)
$380
$372Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$45Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$158
Internet
$30Best ✓
$62
Left after essentials
$2,045/month
$786/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Wilmington (NC rate: 4.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $50K a good salary in Medellín?

At $50K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,160. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 16% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $50K a good salary in Wilmington?

At $50K/year in Wilmington, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,973. With 1BR rent around $1,550/month, rent takes up 52% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $50K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,045/month vs $786/month in Wilmington.

Can I afford to live alone in Medellín on $50K?

Yes. At $50K in Medellín, rent takes 16% of your take-home, leaving $2,045/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Medellín vs Wilmington

$40K$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