Can I Afford to Live in New York vs Seattle 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.

New York, NY
$4,597/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (76% of take-home)
Difficult
Seattle, WA
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $2,400/mo (47% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

New York
NY
Seattle
WA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,597
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$3,500
$2,400Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$437
$410Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$132
$100Best ✓
Utilities
$180
$120Best ✓
Internet
$75
$65Best ✓
Left after essentials
$273/month
$1,962/month
Seattle (Washington) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs New York (NY rate: 6.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in New York?

At $80K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,597. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 76% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $80K a good salary in Seattle?

At $80K/year in Seattle, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $2,400/month, rent takes up 47% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

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

Seattle leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,962/month vs $273/month in New York.

Can I afford to live alone in New York on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in New York would take 76% of your $80K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — New York vs Seattle

$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