Can I Afford to Live in Mexico City vs Madison 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.

Mexico City, MX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $700/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Madison, WI
$5,679/mo take-home
Rent: $1,650/mo (29% of take-home)
Manageable

Monthly budget breakdown

Mexico City
MX
Madison
WI
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$5,679
1BR rent
$700Best ✓
$1,650
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$384
Transport (est.)
$150
$62Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$162
Internet
$25Best ✓
$63
Left after essentials
$5,011/month
$3,358/month
Mexico City (CDMX) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Madison (WI rate: 7.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Mexico City?

At $100K/year in Mexico City, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $700/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Madison?

At $100K/year in Madison, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,679. With 1BR rent around $1,650/month, rent takes up 29% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

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

Mexico City leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,011/month vs $3,358/month in Madison.

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

Yes. At $100K in Mexico City, rent takes 11% of your take-home, leaving $5,011/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Mexico City vs Madison

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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