Can I Afford to Live in São Paulo vs Phnom Penh on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

São Paulo, BR
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $720/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Phnom Penh, KH
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $350/mo (4% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

São Paulo
BR
Phnom Penh
KH
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,944Best ✓
$8,944
1BR rent
$720
$350Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$150Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$85
$60Best ✓
Internet
$32Best ✓
$40
Left after essentials
$7,577/month
$7,964/month
Both São Paulo and Phnom Penh have no state income tax — your take-home is higher than in most states.

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in São Paulo?

At $150K/year in São Paulo, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $720/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Phnom Penh?

At $150K/year in Phnom Penh, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $350/month, rent takes up 4% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Phnom Penh leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,964/month vs $7,577/month in São Paulo.

Can I afford to live alone in São Paulo on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in São Paulo, rent takes 8% of your take-home, leaving $7,577/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — São Paulo vs Phnom Penh

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

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