New York City single‑income earners face a high price tag to live comfortably. Research from GOBankingRates shows that a single person in NYC needs an annual salary of about $184,420 to cover all living costs and still save money.
The study combined data from the 2024 U.S. Census American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other sources to compute the wages required in America’s 50 largest cities. Using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule—50 % for essentials, 30 % for leisure, 20 % for savings—the team first calculated the minimum take‑home pay of $92,210 needed to get by in NYC. They then doubled that figure to set the comfortable‑living benchmark.
Because most Americans own homes, the analysis leaned on home‑price data rather than rental rates, which may skew the NYC numbers. In neighborhoods where rents exceed average mortgage payments, a higher salary might be necessary. However, many single residents share apartments, which can lower expenses and bring the required income down.
The U.S. Most Expensive Cities to Live Comfortably
| Rank | City (State) | Comfortable Salary Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $264,946 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $251,398 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $206,353 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $194,920 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $184,420 |
| 6 | Long Beach, CA | $179,359 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $178,520 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $169,155 |
| 9 | Oakland, CA | $163,559 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $157,960 |
The report highlights San Jose’s high housing cost—average single‑family homes sell for over $1.5 million and bring monthly mortgage payments up to about $8,563. For California’s tech hubs, salaries climb even higher.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Detroit, Michigan, tops the cheap‑living list. A single worker there can maintain a comfortable lifestyle with a yearly income of roughly $65,733.
These figures paint a clear picture: cities with booming tech sectors, like the Bay Area and NYC, demand premium wages. In contrast, Midwestern cities such as Detroit offer a far more affordable standard of living. The data help job seekers gauge whether a move will fit their budget and long‑term financial goals.
Source: New York Post
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