Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs Lubbock on $75K?

Here's how a $75K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Melbourne, AU
$3,000/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (53% of take-home)
Difficult
Lubbock, TX
$4,741/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (21% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
Lubbock
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,000
$4,741Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600
$1,000Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380
$346Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$38Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$172
Internet
$62
$58Best ✓
Left after essentials
$678/month
$3,127/month
Lubbock (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Melbourne (AU rate: 45%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $75K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $75K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,000. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 53% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $75K a good salary in Lubbock?

At $75K/year in Lubbock, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,741. With 1BR rent around $1,000/month, rent takes up 21% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $75K salary?

Lubbock leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,127/month vs $678/month in Melbourne.

Can I afford to live alone in Melbourne on $75K?

It's tight. Rent in Melbourne would take 53% of your $75K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Melbourne vs Lubbock

$40K$50K$60K$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