Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs Nashville 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
Nashville, TN
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (25% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
Nashville
TN
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,800
$7,155Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600Best ✓
$1,800
Groceries (est.)
$380
$365Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$70Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$170
Internet
$62
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$2,478/month
$4,690/month
Nashville (Tennessee) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Melbourne (AU rate: 45%).

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 Nashville?

At $120K/year in Nashville, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,155. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 25% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

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

Nashville leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,690/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 Nashville

$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