Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs San Antonio on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Melbourne, AU
$4,000/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (40% of take-home)
Tight
San Antonio, TX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (17% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
San Antonio
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,000
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600
$1,100Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380
$353Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$48Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$175
Internet
$62
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$1,678/month
$4,585/month
San Antonio (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Melbourne (AU rate: 45%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $100K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,000. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 40% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $100K a good salary in San Antonio?

At $100K/year in San Antonio, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 17% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

San Antonio leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,585/month vs $1,678/month in Melbourne.

Can I afford to live alone in Melbourne on $100K?

It's tight. Rent in Melbourne would take 40% of your $100K 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 San Antonio

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$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