Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs San Diego 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
San Diego, CA
$7,781/mo take-home
Rent: $2,600/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
San Diego
CA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,000
$7,781Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600Best ✓
$2,600
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$414
Transport (est.)
$150
$100Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$130
Internet
$62Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$3,678/month
$4,472/month

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 San Diego?

At $150K/year in San Diego, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,781. With 1BR rent around $2,600/month, rent takes up 33% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

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

San Diego leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,472/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 San Diego

$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