Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs Buffalo 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.

Melbourne, AU
$4,800/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable
Buffalo, NY
$6,465/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (19% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
Buffalo
NY
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,800
$6,465Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600
$1,250Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$384
Transport (est.)
$150
$72Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$185
Internet
$62Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$2,478/month
$4,509/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $120K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,800. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 33% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $120K a good salary in Buffalo?

At $120K/year in Buffalo, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,465. With 1BR rent around $1,250/month, rent takes up 19% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Buffalo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,509/month vs $2,478/month in Melbourne.

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

Yes. At $120K in Melbourne, rent takes 33% of your take-home, leaving $2,478/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Melbourne vs Buffalo

$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