Can I Afford to Live in Melbourne vs Virginia Beach on $75K?

Here's how a $75K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Melbourne, AU
$3,000/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (53% of take-home)
Difficult
Virginia Beach, VA
$4,378/mo take-home
Rent: $1,550/mo (35% of take-home)
Tight

Monthly budget breakdown

Melbourne
AU
Virginia Beach
VA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,000
$4,378Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600
$1,550Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380
$369Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$48Best ✓
Utilities
$130Best ✓
$170
Internet
$62
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$678/month
$2,181/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $75K a good salary in Melbourne?

At $75K/year in Melbourne, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,000. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 53% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $75K a good salary in Virginia Beach?

At $75K/year in Virginia Beach, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,378. With 1BR rent around $1,550/month, rent takes up 35% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Which city is more affordable on a $75K salary?

Virginia Beach leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,181/month vs $678/month in Melbourne.

Can I afford to live alone in Melbourne on $75K?

It's tight. Rent in Melbourne would take 53% of your $75K 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 Virginia Beach

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