Can I Afford to Live in New York vs Medellín on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

New York, NY
$8,081/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (43% of take-home)
Tight
Medellín, CO
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (6% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

New York
NY
Medellín
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,081
$8,944Best ✓
1BR rent
$3,500
$500Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$437
$380Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$132Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$180
$55Best ✓
Internet
$75
$30Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,757/month
$7,829/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs New York (NY rate: 6.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in New York?

At $150K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,081. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 43% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $150K a good salary in Medellín?

At $150K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 6% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,829/month vs $3,757/month in New York.

Can I afford to live alone in New York on $150K?

It's tight. Rent in New York would take 43% of your $150K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — New York vs Medellín

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

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