Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs San Francisco 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
San Francisco, CA
$6,225/mo take-home
Rent: $3,600/mo (58% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
San Francisco
CA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,800
$6,225Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600Best ✓
$3,600
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$448
Transport (est.)
$150
$100Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$160
Internet
$62Best ✓
$70
Left after essentials
$2,478/month
$1,847/month

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 San Francisco?

At $120K/year in San Francisco, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,225. With 1BR rent around $3,600/month, rent takes up 58% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

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

Melbourne leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,478/month vs $1,847/month in San Francisco.

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 San Francisco

$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