Can I Afford to Live in Montgomery vs New York on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Montgomery, AL
$4,723/mo take-home
Rent: $1,050/mo (22% of take-home)
Comfortable
New York, NY
$4,597/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (76% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Montgomery
AL
New York
NY
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,723Best ✓
$4,597
1BR rent
$1,050Best ✓
$3,500
Groceries (est.)
$353Best ✓
$437
Transport (est.)
$38Best ✓
$132
Utilities
$170Best ✓
$180
Internet
$58Best ✓
$75
Left after essentials
$3,054/month
$273/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Montgomery?

At $80K/year in Montgomery, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,723. With 1BR rent around $1,050/month, rent takes up 22% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in New York?

At $80K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,597. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 76% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Montgomery leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,054/month vs $273/month in New York.

Can I afford to live alone in Montgomery on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Montgomery, rent takes 22% of your take-home, leaving $3,054/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Montgomery vs New York

$40K$50K$60K$75K$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