Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs Nashville on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Melbourne, AU
$3,200/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (50% of take-home)
Difficult
Nashville, TN
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (36% of take-home)
Tight
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Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
Nashville
TN
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,200
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600Best ✓
$1,800
Groceries (est.)
$380
$365Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$70Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$170
Internet
$62
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$878/month
$2,592/month
Nashville (Tennessee) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Melbourne (AU rate: 45%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $80K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,200. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 50% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $80K a good salary in Nashville?

At $80K/year in Nashville, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 36% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Nashville leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,592/month vs $878/month in Melbourne.

Can I afford to live alone in Melbourne on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in Melbourne would take 50% of your $80K 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 Nashville

$40K$50K$60K$75K$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