Can I Afford to Live in São Paulo vs Lexington 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.

São Paulo, BR
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $720/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Lexington, KY
$5,988/mo take-home
Rent: $1,350/mo (23% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

São Paulo
BR
Lexington
KY
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$5,988
1BR rent
$720Best ✓
$1,350
Groceries (est.)
$380
$365Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$60Best ✓
Utilities
$85Best ✓
$158
Internet
$32Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$4,954/month
$3,995/month
São Paulo (São Paulo State) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Lexington (KY rate: 4%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in São Paulo?

At $100K/year in São Paulo, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $720/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Lexington?

At $100K/year in Lexington, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,988. With 1BR rent around $1,350/month, rent takes up 23% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

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

São Paulo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,954/month vs $3,995/month in Lexington.

Can I afford to live alone in São Paulo on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in São Paulo, rent takes 11% of your take-home, leaving $4,954/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — São Paulo vs Lexington

$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