Can I Afford to Live in Nashville vs Melbourne 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.

Nashville, TN
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (28% of take-home)
Manageable
Melbourne, AU
$4,000/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (40% of take-home)
Tight

Monthly budget breakdown

Nashville
TN
Melbourne
AU
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$4,000
1BR rent
$1,800
$1,600Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$365Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$70Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$170
$130Best ✓
Internet
$60Best ✓
$62
Left after essentials
$3,856/month
$1,678/month
Nashville (Tennessee) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Melbourne (AU rate: 45%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Nashville?

At $100K/year in Nashville, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 28% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

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.

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

Nashville leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,856/month vs $1,678/month in Melbourne.

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

Yes. At $100K in Nashville, rent takes 28% of your take-home, leaving $3,856/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Nashville vs Melbourne

$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