Can I Afford to Live in St. Louis vs São Paulo on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

St. Louis, MO
$4,743/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
São Paulo, BR
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $720/mo (14% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

St. Louis
MO
São Paulo
BR
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,743
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,300
$720Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$369Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$75Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$162
$85Best ✓
Internet
$60
$32Best ✓
Left after essentials
$2,777/month
$3,690/month
São Paulo (São Paulo State) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs St. Louis (MO rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in St. Louis?

At $80K/year in St. Louis, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,743. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in São Paulo?

At $80K/year in São Paulo, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $720/month, rent takes up 14% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

São Paulo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,690/month vs $2,777/month in St. Louis.

Can I afford to live alone in St. Louis on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in St. Louis, rent takes 27% of your take-home, leaving $2,777/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — St. Louis vs São Paulo

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$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