Can I Afford to Live in Waco vs São Paulo 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.

Waco, TX
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (37% of take-home)
Tight
São Paulo, BR
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $720/mo (26% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Waco
TX
São Paulo
BR
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,728Best ✓
$2,728
1BR rent
$1,000
$720Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$350Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$38Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$172
$85Best ✓
Internet
$60
$32Best ✓
Left after essentials
$1,108/month
$1,361/month
Both Waco and São Paulo have no state income tax — your take-home is higher than in most states.

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Waco?

At $40K/year in Waco, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $1,000/month, rent takes up 37% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $40K a good salary in São Paulo?

At $40K/year in São Paulo, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $720/month, rent takes up 26% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

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

São Paulo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,361/month vs $1,108/month in Waco.

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

It's tight. Rent in Waco would take 37% 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 — Waco vs São Paulo

$50K$60K$75K$80K$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