10 Cities Where a $250K Salary Is Worth the Most and Least

The average American doesn’t pull in anywhere close to $250,000 a year. In fact, the average national salary is $55,640, according to Indeed. Though not the standard, a fair number of people in the U.S. make at least $250,000 annually — but surprisingly, many in this ostensibly high-rolling cohort are living paycheck to paycheck like the rest of us.

It appears that, like folks making far less than $250,000 a year, these upper-tier earners need to be careful about how they spend. Where should they live to make the most out of their money? 

SmartAsset compiled a list of the 10 cities where a $250,000 salary goes the furthest. They also determined the 10 cities where this salary performs the weakest. Let’s explore their findings.   

Also see how much you need to live comfortably in 50 major U.S. cities.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $203,664

If you’re pulling in $250,000 a year in Memphis, where there is no state income tax, your post-tax income is around $175,558 (taxed at a rate of 29.77%). The cost of living is also quite reasonable in Memphis — 13% lower than the national average, according to PayScale. 

What $250K Is Worth Here: $200,180

If you make $250,000 in El Paso, you can expect to take home about $200,180 after accounting for taxes and the cost of living, which is reasonable: 10% lower than the national average, according to RentCafe. 

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What $250K Is Worth Here: $197,381

A salary of $250,000 in Oklahoma City translates to $164,221 after taxes. Cost of living here is 16% lower than the national average, according to RentCafe — so you can really make the most of your earnings.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $196,593

A $250,000 salary in Corpus Christi is also taxed at a rate of 29.77%, leaving you with about $175,558 after taxes — but you can maximize that money thanks to a fairly low cost of living: 10% lower than the national average, according to PayScale.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $196,373

If you make $250,000 in Lubbock and factor in taxes and the cost of living, you stand to pocket $196,373. Cost of living in this city is 10% lower than the national average, according to PayScale.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $191,239

Houston is the largest of the 10 cities on this list. $250,000 a year here is actually worth $191,239.  But residing in this major metro is surprisingly affordable. According to PayScale, the cost of living in Houston is 8% lower than the national average.  

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What $250K Is Worth Here: $188,772

If you live in San Antonio and pull in a $250,000 salary, you can plan on banking $188,772 of that. This is thanks largely to the affordability of dwelling in this city. According to PayScale, the cost of living here is 8% lower than the national average. 

What $250K Is Worth Here: $188,772

If you live in Fort Worth and make $250,000 a year, you can expect to keep $188,772 of that sum. It’s interesting that this city is tied for seventh place, because it’s actually more expensive to live in than San Antonio. Cost of living here is 3% higher than the state average; that said, it’s 5% lower than the national average, according to RentCafe. 

What $250K Is Worth Here: $188,772

A $250,000 salary is worth the same amount ($188,772) in Arlington, where the cost of living is 4% lower than the national average, according to PayScale.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $186,169

If you make $250,000 income in Jacksonville, where no state tax is levied, it is worth $186,169 after factoring in taxes and the cost of living, which, according to PayScale, is 6% lower than the national average.  

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Using the same data it used to discover the cities where $250,000 a year goes the furthest, SmartAsset also determined the 10 cities where these six figures are milked the most, leaving you with the least amount of money to enjoy. 

What $250K Is Worth Here: $115,347

Coming in at No. 10 is Seattle, where the cost of living is 50% higher than the national average, according to PayScale. Residents keep just $115,347 of their $250,000 paychecks. 

What $250K Is Worth Here: $108,991

Over in Boston, where the cost of living is also 50% higher than the national average, a $250,000 paycheck ends up being valued at $108,991.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $105,223

If you make $250,000 in Oakland, you’re really walking away with $105,223. In this city, the cost of living is 46% higher than the national average and housing is 99% higher, according to RentCafe.

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What $250K Is Worth Here: $105,151

In San Diego, where the cost of living is 44% higher than the national average, you’ll pocket $105,151 of your $250,000 income.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $101,865

The nation’s capital is not a cheap place to live. Cost of living there is 52% higher than the national average, according to RentCafe. If you’re clearing $250,000 here, you’re actually keeping just $101,865 of it. 

What $250K Is Worth Here: $101,635

Long Beach can all but devour a $250,000 salary, leaving you with $101,635 in the end. The cost of living here is 51% higher than the national average, according to PayScale.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $101,635

In the City of Angels, a $250,000 salary translates to just $101,635. It’s a tough city to make it in, especially when you consider that the cost of living is 51% higher than the national average, according to RentCafe.

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What $250K Is Worth Here: $82,776

In San Francisco, your $250,000 salary will be quickly drained by obligatory expenses, leaving you with $82,776 in the end. Cost of living here is outrageous — 79% higher than the national average, according to RentCafe.

What $250K Is Worth Here: $82,672

Honolulu is the second most expensive city for your $250,000 earnings. You’ll keep just $82,672 of it. Cost of living here is just so dang high: 84% higher than the national average, according to PayScale. 

What $250K Is Worth Here: $82,421

The Big Apple will absolutely ravage your hefty $250,000 salary. In this not so humble city, you can take home $82,421 of that sum. It’s not surprising when you consider that the cost of living here is 80% higher than the national average, according to RentCafe.