Can I Afford to Live in New York vs Rapid City 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.

New York, NY
$5,746/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (61% of take-home)
Difficult
Rapid City, SD
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (19% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

New York
NY
Rapid City
SD
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,746
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$3,500
$1,200Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$437
$365Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$132
$40Best ✓
Utilities
$180
$148Best ✓
Internet
$75
$65Best ✓
Left after essentials
$1,422/month
$4,503/month
Rapid City (South Dakota) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs New York (NY rate: 6.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in New York?

At $100K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,746. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 61% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $100K a good salary in Rapid City?

At $100K/year in Rapid City, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 19% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Rapid City leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,503/month vs $1,422/month in New York.

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

It's tight. Rent in New York would take 61% of your $100K 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 Rapid City

$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