Can I Afford to Live in St. George vs Medellín on $60K?

Here's how a $60K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

St. George, UT
$3,558/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (37% of take-home)
Tight
Medellín, CO
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (13% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
St. George
UT
Medellín
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)$3,558$3,793
1BR rent$1,300$500
Groceries (est.)$372$380
Transport (est.)$40$150
Utilities$148$55
Internet$63$30
Left after essentials$1,635/month$2,678/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs St. George (UT rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $60K a good salary in St. George?

At $60K/year in St. George, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,558. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 37% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $60K a good salary in Medellín?

At $60K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,793. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 13% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $60K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,678/month vs $1,635/month in St. George.

Can I afford to live alone in St. George on $60K?

It's tight. Rent in St. George would take 37% of your $60K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — St. George vs Medellín

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