Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs Houston on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Melbourne, AU
$6,000/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
Houston, TX
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $1,350/mo (15% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
Houston
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,000
$8,944Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600
$1,350Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380
$357Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$90Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$175
Internet
$62Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$3,678/month
$6,907/month
Houston (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Melbourne (AU rate: 45%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $150K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,000. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Houston?

At $150K/year in Houston, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $1,350/month, rent takes up 15% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Houston leaves you with more money after core expenses — $6,907/month vs $3,678/month in Melbourne.

Can I afford to live alone in Melbourne on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Melbourne, rent takes 27% of your take-home, leaving $3,678/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Melbourne vs Houston

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

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