Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs Seattle 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
Seattle, WA
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $2,400/mo (38% of take-home)
Tight
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Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
Seattle
WA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,000
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600Best ✓
$2,400
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$410
Transport (est.)
$150
$100Best ✓
Utilities
$130
$120Best ✓
Internet
$62Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$1,678/month
$3,226/month
Seattle (Washington) 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 Seattle?

At $100K/year in Seattle, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $2,400/month, rent takes up 38% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

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

Seattle leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,226/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 Seattle

$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