Can I Afford to Live in San Antonio vs Lincoln 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.

San Antonio, TX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (17% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Lincoln, NE
$5,838/mo take-home
Rent: $1,150/mo (20% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

San Antonio
TX
Lincoln
NE
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$5,838
1BR rent
$1,100Best ✓
$1,150
Groceries (est.)
$353Best ✓
$357
Transport (est.)
$48Best ✓
$48
Utilities
$175
$152Best ✓
Internet
$60
$58Best ✓
Left after essentials
$4,585/month
$4,073/month
San Antonio (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Lincoln (NE rate: 5.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in San Antonio?

At $100K/year in San Antonio, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 17% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Lincoln?

At $100K/year in Lincoln, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,838. With 1BR rent around $1,150/month, rent takes up 20% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

San Antonio leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,585/month vs $4,073/month in Lincoln.

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

Yes. At $100K in San Antonio, rent takes 17% of your take-home, leaving $4,585/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — San Antonio vs Lincoln

$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