Can I Afford to Live in Oaxaca vs St. Louis on $50K?

Here's how a $50K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Oaxaca, MX
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $400/mo (13% of take-home)
Very comfortable
St. Louis, MO
$2,965/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (44% of take-home)
Tight

Monthly budget breakdown

Oaxaca
MX
St. Louis
MO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,160Best ✓
$2,965
1BR rent
$400Best ✓
$1,300
Groceries (est.)
$380
$369Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$75Best ✓
Utilities
$45Best ✓
$162
Internet
$25Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$2,160/month
$999/month
Oaxaca (Oaxaca) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs St. Louis (MO rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $50K a good salary in Oaxaca?

At $50K/year in Oaxaca, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,160. With 1BR rent around $400/month, rent takes up 13% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $50K a good salary in St. Louis?

At $50K/year in St. Louis, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,965. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 44% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Which city is more affordable on a $50K salary?

Oaxaca leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,160/month vs $999/month in St. Louis.

Can I afford to live alone in Oaxaca on $50K?

Yes. At $50K in Oaxaca, rent takes 13% of your take-home, leaving $2,160/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Oaxaca vs St. Louis

$40K$60K$75K$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