Most households aim to maintain a cushion between the necessary spending for day-to-day necessities—like housing, food, utilities and childcare—while also enjoying life in the moment and saving for the future. This means keeping room in the budget for the occasional vacation or splurge, as well as savings for long-term goals like retirement or a child's college education. The 50/30/20 budget rule provides a framework for supporting such financial stability: 50% of a household's income is allocated to necessities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for long-term goals.
To determine the salary required for Americans across the country to maintain this balance, SmartAsset analyzed the estimated cost of necessities in 100 of the largest U.S. cities, applying the 50/30/20 budget rule for both single adults and families of four.
Key Findings
The salary needed to live comfortably is higher than the U.S. household median in large U.S. cities. The national median household income is $80,610 according to the most recent Census data. But in the largest U.S. cities, a single adult needs at least $85,000 to sustain a comfortable lifestyle while a family of four requires nearly $200,000.
Indianapolis is least expensive for an adult to live comfortably. It takes an estimated salary of $85,197 to comfortably support a single adult in the capital of Indiana, the lowest among large U.S. cities. However, for a family of four, the city has the 28th highest salary needed at $222,726. Meanwhile, the city's median household income was last reported at a fraction of that at $66,629.
Memphis, Tennessee, has the lowest household salary needed to raise a family comfortably. While Memphis ranks 12th lowest salary needed to support a single adult, a four-person family needs the least to live comfortably. A combined household salary of $198,349 is needed for two working adults with two children, the lowest of large cities nationwide.
San Jose, California, overtakes New York City for the highest salary needed to live comfortably. Last year, New York City topped the list, requiring $138,570 for a single adult to live comfortably. This year, San Jose, California, takes the lead with a $147,430 salary requirement. New York City now ranks second with single adults needing to bring in at least $136,656.
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Top 10 Places With the Lowest Salary Needed to Live Comfortably
Large U.S. cities are ranked based on the projected full-time gross salary needed to cover basic expenses, occasional splurges and allow savings for long-term goals.
Indianapolis
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $85,197
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $222,726
Median household income: $66,629
Oklahoma City
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $85,446
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $211,494
Median household income: $67,015
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $85,571
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $210,912
Median household income: $56,821
New OrleansAnnual salary needed for a single adult: $86,445
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $201,178
Median household income: $55,580
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $86,611
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $222,144
Median household income: $67,907
San Antonio
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $86,694
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $199,181
Median household income: $62,322
Tucson, Arizona(tie with Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $86,736
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $215,821
Median household income: $55,708
Winston-Salem, North Carolina(tie with Tucson, Arizona)
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $86,736
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $201,011
Median household income: $59,189
Spokane, Washington
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $87,818
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $233,043
Median household income: $65,016
Baltimore
Annual salary needed for a single adult: $87,984
Full-time combined salary for two working adults with two children: $226,054
Median household income: $59,579
10 Places With the Highest Salary Needed to Live Comfortably
Large U.S. cities are ranked based on the projected full-time gross salary needed to cover basic expenses, occasional splurges and allow savings for long-term goals.
San Jose, California
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $147,430
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $371,571
Local median household income: $136,229
New York City
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $136,656
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $306,093
Local median household income: $76,577
Anaheim, California
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $133,952
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $301,600
Local median household income: $84,872
Irvine, California
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $133,952
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $301,600
Local median household income: $127,989
Santa Ana, California
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $133,952
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $301,600
Local median household income: $85,914
Boston
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $133,578
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $352,102
Local median household income: $96,931
Seattle
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $128,211
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $327,475
Local median household income: $120,608
San Diego
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $127,754
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $297,190
Local median household income: $105,780
Chula Vista, California
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $127,754
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $297,190
Local median household income: $106,623
Arlington, Virginia
Annual salary needed to live comfortably for a single adult: $127,046
Full-time combined salary to live comfortably for two working adults with two children: $355,430
Local median household income: $140,219
Data and Methodology
SmartAsset used MIT Living Wage Calculator data to gather the basic cost of living for an individual with no children and for two working adults with two children. Data includes cost of necessities including housing, food, transportation and income taxes. It was last updated to reflect the most recent data available on Feb. 10, 2025.
Applying these costs to the 50/30/20 budget for 100 of the largest U.S. cities, MIT's living wage is assumed to cover needs (i.e., 50% of one's budget). From there the total annual wage was extrapolated for individuals and families to spend 30% of the total on wants and 20% on savings or debt payments. Median household income data for cities comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's 1 Year American Community Survey for 2023.
