Can I Afford to Live in Wilmington vs Bogotá on $50K?

Here's how a $50K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Wilmington, NC
$2,973/mo take-home
Rent: $1,550/mo (52% of take-home)
Difficult
Bogotá, CO
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $550/mo (17% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Wilmington
NC
Bogotá
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,973
$3,160Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,550
$550Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$372Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$45Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$158
$55Best ✓
Internet
$62
$30Best ✓
Left after essentials
$786/month
$1,995/month
Bogotá (Cundinamarca) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Wilmington (NC rate: 4.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $50K a good salary in Wilmington?

At $50K/year in Wilmington, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,973. With 1BR rent around $1,550/month, rent takes up 52% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $50K a good salary in Bogotá?

At $50K/year in Bogotá, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,160. With 1BR rent around $550/month, rent takes up 17% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $50K salary?

Bogotá leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,995/month vs $786/month in Wilmington.

Can I afford to live alone in Wilmington on $50K?

It's tight. Rent in Wilmington would take 52% of your $50K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Wilmington vs Bogotá

$40K$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