Can I Afford to Live in Savannah vs Rapid City on $150K?

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

Savannah, GA
$8,256/mo take-home
Rent: $1,500/mo (18% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Rapid City, SD
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (13% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Savannah
GA
Rapid City
SD
Monthly take-home (est.)$8,256$8,944
1BR rent$1,500$1,200
Groceries (est.)$369$365
Transport (est.)$48$40
Utilities$165$148
Internet$62$65
Left after essentials$6,112/month$7,126/month
Rapid City (South Dakota) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Savannah (GA rate: 5.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Savannah?

At $150K/year in Savannah, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,256. With 1BR rent around $1,500/month, rent takes up 18% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Rapid City?

At $150K/year in Rapid City, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 13% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Rapid City leaves you with more money after core expenses โ€” $7,126/month vs $6,112/month in Savannah.

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

Yes. At $150K in Savannah, rent takes 18% of your take-home, leaving $6,112/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands โ€” Savannah vs Rapid City

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more โ€” 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 ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only