Can I Afford to Live in St. Paul 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.

St. Paul, MN
$5,496/mo take-home
Rent: $1,500/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
Medellín, CO
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

St. Paul
MN
Medellín
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,496
$6,321Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,500
$500Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$384
$380Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$95Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$195
$55Best ✓
Internet
$63
$30Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,259/month
$5,206/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs St. Paul (MN rate: 9.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in St. Paul?

At $100K/year in St. Paul, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,496. With 1BR rent around $1,500/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered 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 $3,259/month in St. Paul.

Can I afford to live alone in St. Paul on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in St. Paul, rent takes 27% of your take-home, leaving $3,259/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — St. Paul 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