Can I Afford to Live in Seoul vs Medellín 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.

Seoul, KR
$5,071/mo take-home
Rent: $900/mo (18% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Medellín, CO
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Seoul
KR
Medellín
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,071
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$900
$500Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$150Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$80
$55Best ✓
Internet
$25Best ✓
$30
Left after essentials
$3,536/month
$5,206/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Seoul (KR rate: 15%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Seoul?

At $100K/year in Seoul, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,071. With 1BR rent around $900/month, rent takes up 18% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Medellín?

At $100K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

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

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,206/month vs $3,536/month in Seoul.

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

Yes. At $100K in Seoul, rent takes 18% of your take-home, leaving $3,536/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Seoul vs Medellín

$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