Can I Afford to Live in Vilnius vs Medellín on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Vilnius, LT
$2,062/mo take-home
Rent: $800/mo (39% of take-home)
Tight
Medellín, CO
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (18% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Vilnius
LT
Medellín
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,062
$2,728Best ✓
1BR rent
$800
$500Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$150Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$95
$55Best ✓
Internet
$28Best ✓
$30
Left after essentials
$609/month
$1,613/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Vilnius (LT rate: 20%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Vilnius?

At $40K/year in Vilnius, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,062. With 1BR rent around $800/month, rent takes up 39% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $40K a good salary in Medellín?

At $40K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 18% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,613/month vs $609/month in Vilnius.

Can I afford to live alone in Vilnius on $40K?

It's tight. Rent in Vilnius would take 39% of your $40K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Vilnius vs Medellín

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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