Can I Afford to Live in Missoula vs Melbourne 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.

Missoula, MT
$4,316/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (30% of take-home)
Manageable
Melbourne, AU
$3,000/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (53% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Missoula
MT
Melbourne
AU
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,316Best ✓
$3,000
1BR rent
$1,300Best ✓
$1,600
Groceries (est.)
$376Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$45Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$145
$130Best ✓
Internet
$68
$62Best ✓
Left after essentials
$2,382/month
$678/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $75K a good salary in Missoula?

At $75K/year in Missoula, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,316. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 30% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

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.

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

Missoula leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,382/month vs $678/month in Melbourne.

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

Yes. At $75K in Missoula, rent takes 30% of your take-home, leaving $2,382/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Missoula vs Melbourne

$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