What lands in your account
Take-home on a US salary (federal tax + FICA, no state tax) next to the same earning power in Australia, converted at current exchange rates. Single filer, standard deductions.
| US salary | US take-home /mo | Australia gross /mo | Australia take-home /mo | In dollars | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000/yr | $5,389 | $9,921 | $7,514 | ≈ $5,049 | 24.3% vs 19.2% US |
| $120,000/yr | $7,731 | $14,881 | $10,633 | ≈ $7,145 | 28.5% vs 22.7% US |
US take-home is a national baseline — add state income tax where it applies (0% in Texas or Florida, up to ~13% in California). Australia figures use its own tax calculator. Run your exact pay below.
Where to land in Australia
One-bedroom rent ranges from AffordWhere's data. Open any city with a $80,000 US salary already plugged in.
| City | 1BR rent /mo | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | $1,550 – $2,100 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Hobart | $1,550 – $2,050 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Melbourne | $1,800 – $2,800 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Brisbane | $1,800 – $2,400 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Perth | $1,800 – $2,600 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Gold Coast | $1,870 – $3,290 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Canberra | $2,000 – $2,600 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Sydney | $2,300 – $3,800 | 5/5 | See my budget |
| Darwin | $2,300 – $4,100 | 5/5 | See my budget |
Healthcare, after the US
Australia runs a Public (Medicare) system. Medicare covers public hospital. Private insurance for extras (~$100-200/month). Medicare levy 2% of income. private sits around $150 a month — against roughly $400–700 for a US marketplace plan before any employer contribution.
Getting in from the US
Work route: Skilled Worker visa (subclass 482). Points-tested visas (189, 190). Employer sponsorship required for most. Processing typically takes 3-12 months depending on visa type.
Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current route with the Australia immigration authority before you commit.
Up-front to move in
Deposit: 4 month(s) of rent.
Usually 4 weeks bond + 2 weeks rent upfront. No agent fees for tenants. Competitive markets in Sydney/Melbourne.
The weather trade
In Sydney, summers average about 24°C (75°F) and winters about 13°C (55°F).
Run your own salary against Australia
Enter your US pay. We'll show what lands after Australiatax, which neighborhoods you can actually afford, and what's left over each month.
Weighing other countries?
Questions Americans ask
How far does a US salary go in Australia?
Earning the equivalent of a $80,000 US salary in Australia — about $9,921 a month gross — leaves roughly $7,514 after tax and contributions, or about $5,049 in dollar terms. A single American on that salary keeps about $5,389 a month at home after federal tax and FICA.
Do Americans pay more tax in Australia?
On the US-equivalent of $80,000, the effective rate is about 24.3% in Australia versus 19.2% in the US (federal + FICA). At $120,000 it is about 28.5% versus 22.7%. These are single-filer baselines with standard deductions and no US state tax; your own rate shifts with state, city, and situation.
What does healthcare cost in Australia compared to the US?
Australia runs a Public (Medicare) system. Medicare covers public hospital. Private insurance for extras (~$100-200/month). Medicare levy 2% of income. private sits around $150 a month. For contrast, a US marketplace plan typically runs $400–700 a month before any employer contribution.
What visa do Americans need to work in Australia?
Skilled Worker visa (subclass 482). Points-tested visas (189, 190). Employer sponsorship required for most. Processing typically takes 3-12 months depending on visa type. Confirm the current route with the Australia immigration authority before you commit.
How much is rent in Australia?
In AffordWhere's Australia data, one-bedroom rents start around $1,550 a month in Adelaide and climb from there in the larger cities. City-by-city ranges are on each Australia city page.