If your job lets you work from anywhere, your choice of city becomes a financial decision as much as a lifestyle one. State income taxes, local rent, and everyday costs all affect how far your paycheck actually goes. We ranked every major US metro for someone earning $85K remotely, sorting by how much cash you keep each month after taxes and rent.
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,060/mo
Grocery Index
85
Dining Index
84
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,191/mo
Grocery Index
90
Dining Index
89
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,274/mo
Grocery Index
89
Dining Index
90
Take-home
$5,445/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,111/mo
Grocery Index
88
Dining Index
88
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,352/mo
Grocery Index
92
Dining Index
94
Take-home
$5,387/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,076/mo
Grocery Index
90
Dining Index
90
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,374/mo
Grocery Index
94
Dining Index
93
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,390/mo
Grocery Index
90
Dining Index
91
Take-home
$5,310/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,042/mo
Grocery Index
91
Dining Index
93
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,426/mo
Grocery Index
90
Dining Index
91
Take-home
$5,445/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,204/mo
Grocery Index
91
Dining Index
93
Take-home
$5,333/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,099/mo
Grocery Index
88
Dining Index
88
Take-home
$5,372/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,147/mo
Grocery Index
89
Dining Index
90
Take-home
$5,465/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,252/mo
Grocery Index
92
Dining Index
93
Take-home
$5,682/mo
2-BR Rent
$1,471/mo
Grocery Index
90
Dining Index
90
These rankings assume a single filer with no dependents renting a two-bedroom apartment. Your numbers will look different depending on filing status, household size, and whether you plan to buy. Use VenScope to plug in your own salary and see a personalized comparison.
Compare cities with your salaryData from IRS (2026 brackets), HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026), and BLS Consumer Price Index.