“Living comfortably” means covering all your needs, saving adequately for retirement, and having money left for wants — without financial stress. Here’s how much that actually requires in every state.
Table of Contents
Methodology
“Comfortable living” is defined using the 50/30/20 framework:
- 50% covers needs (housing, food, utilities, transportation, insurance, minimum debt payments)
- 30% covers wants (dining out, entertainment, hobbies, travel)
- 20% goes to savings and extra debt payments
The income needed = (essential annual expenses ÷ 0.50), so the essential costs determine the required salary.
Income Needed to Live Comfortably by State (Single Person)
| Rank | State | Annual Income Needed | Monthly Income | Monthly Essentials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $135,000 | $11,250 | $5,625 |
| 2 | California | $120,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $115,000 | $9,583 | $4,792 |
| 4 | New York | $112,000 | $9,333 | $4,667 |
| 5 | Washington | $105,000 | $8,750 | $4,375 |
| 6 | Oregon | $102,000 | $8,500 | $4,250 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $100,000 | $8,333 | $4,167 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $98,000 | $8,167 | $4,083 |
| 9 | Colorado | $96,000 | $8,000 | $4,000 |
| 10 | Maryland | $94,000 | $7,833 | $3,917 |
| 11 | Alaska | $92,000 | $7,667 | $3,833 |
| 12 | Virginia | $90,000 | $7,500 | $3,750 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $88,000 | $7,333 | $3,667 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $87,000 | $7,250 | $3,625 |
| 15 | Vermont | $86,000 | $7,167 | $3,583 |
| 16 | Delaware | $85,000 | $7,083 | $3,542 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $84,000 | $7,000 | $3,500 |
| 18 | Illinois | $83,000 | $6,917 | $3,458 |
| 19 | Florida | $82,000 | $6,833 | $3,417 |
| 20 | Maine | $82,000 | $6,833 | $3,417 |
| 21 | Nevada | $81,000 | $6,750 | $3,375 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $80,000 | $6,667 | $3,333 |
| 23 | Arizona | $80,000 | $6,667 | $3,333 |
| 24 | Montana | $79,000 | $6,583 | $3,292 |
| 25 | Utah | $78,000 | $6,500 | $3,250 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $77,000 | $6,417 | $3,208 |
| 27 | Michigan | $76,000 | $6,333 | $3,167 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $76,000 | $6,333 | $3,167 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $75,000 | $6,250 | $3,125 |
| 30 | Idaho | $75,000 | $6,250 | $3,125 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $74,000 | $6,167 | $3,083 |
| 32 | Georgia | $74,000 | $6,167 | $3,083 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $73,000 | $6,083 | $3,042 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $73,000 | $6,083 | $3,042 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $73,000 | $6,083 | $3,042 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $72,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 37 | Ohio | $72,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 38 | Indiana | $72,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 39 | Texas | $72,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 40 | Iowa | $71,000 | $5,917 | $2,958 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $71,000 | $5,917 | $2,958 |
| 42 | Missouri | $70,000 | $5,833 | $2,917 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $70,000 | $5,833 | $2,917 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $70,000 | $5,833 | $2,917 |
| 45 | Kansas | $70,000 | $5,833 | $2,917 |
| 46 | Alabama | $69,000 | $5,750 | $2,875 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $69,000 | $5,750 | $2,875 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $68,000 | $5,667 | $2,833 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $68,000 | $5,667 | $2,833 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $68,000 | $5,667 | $2,833 |
Income Needed for a Family of Four
| Rank | State | Family of 4 Income Needed | vs. Single | Key Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $220,000 | +$85,000 | Housing + childcare |
| 2 | California | $195,000 | +$75,000 | Housing + childcare |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $188,000 | +$73,000 | Childcare + housing |
| 4 | New York | $182,000 | +$70,000 | Housing + childcare |
| 5 | Washington | $170,000 | +$65,000 | Housing + childcare |
| 10 | Maryland | $156,000 | +$62,000 | Housing |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $146,000 | +$59,000 | Mixed |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $138,000 | +$58,000 | Mixed |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $132,000 | +$55,000 | Mixed |
| 30 | Georgia | $128,000 | +$54,000 | Mixed |
| 35 | Ohio | $125,000 | +$53,000 | Mixed |
| 40 | Tennessee | $122,000 | +$51,000 | Mixed |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $118,000 | +$49,000 | Low costs |
| 50 | Mississippi | $115,000 | +$47,000 | Lowest costs |
What “Comfortable” Spending Looks Like
Single Person, $80,000 Income (National Average)
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs (50%) | $3,333 | $40,000 | 50% |
| Housing (rent/mortgage + insurance) | $1,400 | $16,800 | 21% |
| Food (groceries) | $450 | $5,400 | 7% |
| Utilities + internet + phone | $250 | $3,000 | 4% |
| Transportation | $500 | $6,000 | 8% |
| Health insurance (employee share) | $134 | $1,608 | 2% |
| Minimum debt payments | $200 | $2,400 | 3% |
| Other essentials | $399 | $4,788 | 6% |
| Wants (30%) | $2,000 | $24,000 | 30% |
| Dining out / entertainment | $600 | $7,200 | 9% |
| Hobbies / subscriptions | $300 | $3,600 | 5% |
| Travel / vacations | $400 | $4,800 | 6% |
| Shopping / personal care | $400 | $4,800 | 6% |
| Miscellaneous fun | $300 | $3,600 | 5% |
| Savings (20%) | $1,333 | $16,000 | 20% |
| Retirement (401k/IRA) | $833 | $10,000 | 13% |
| Emergency fund / goals | $500 | $6,000 | 8% |
Reality Check: Who Earns Enough?
| State | Income for Comfortable Living (Single) | Median Individual Income | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $135,000 | $42,000 | -$93,000 |
| California | $120,000 | $48,000 | -$72,000 |
| New York | $112,000 | $45,000 | -$67,000 |
| Texas | $72,000 | $39,000 | -$33,000 |
| Ohio | $72,000 | $36,000 | -$36,000 |
| Mississippi | $68,000 | $30,000 | -$38,000 |
In no state does the median individual income meet the “comfortable” threshold. This is why dual-income households, frugality, or above-median earnings are necessary for financial comfort.
Related: Cost of Living by State | Average Income | 50/30/20 Budget Rule | Average Monthly Expenses
