Can I Afford to Live in Santa Fe vs Houston on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Santa Fe, NM
$4,730/mo take-home
Rent: $1,550/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable
Houston, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,350/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Santa Fe
NM
Houston
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,730
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,550
$1,350Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$376
$357Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$40Best ✓
$90
Utilities
$158Best ✓
$175
Internet
$65Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$2,541/month
$3,020/month
Houston (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Santa Fe (NM rate: 4.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Santa Fe?

At $80K/year in Santa Fe, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,730. With 1BR rent around $1,550/month, rent takes up 33% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $80K a good salary in Houston?

At $80K/year in Houston, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,350/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Houston leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,020/month vs $2,541/month in Santa Fe.

Can I afford to live alone in Santa Fe on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Santa Fe, rent takes 33% of your take-home, leaving $2,541/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Santa Fe vs Houston

$40K$50K$60K$75K$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