How Far $100K Goes in America’s 23 Best Small East Coast Towns

A $100,000 salary might not go far in most major metros, but this money has lasting power in certain East Coast towns. Key findings from in-house GOBankingRates research show there are 23 East Coast towns where the leftover savings from $100,000 take-home pay can amount to $1,800 or significantly (think $30,000-plus!) more.

Data for this study was collected by first identifying small towns with a population between 1,000 and 10,000 residents and a livability index of at least 85 to represent places with the best quality of life. Assuming a $100,000 salary annually that was paid bi-weekly with no overtime, the take-home pay was calculated using ADP’s Salary Paycheck Calculator. From there, the take-home pay and cost of living for necessities were used to find the leftover savings in each East Coast town.

This is how far $100,000 goes in these 23 East Coast towns. Also, find out how far this money goes in America’s top 50 small towns in our original study.

• Total population: 2,103
• Annual cost of necessities: $43,733
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $75,616
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $31,882

• Total population: 4,034
• Annual cost of necessities: $46,944
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $75,616
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $28,672

• Total population: 3,039
• Annual cost of necessities: $41,887
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $70,449
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $28,562

• Total population: 8,149
• Annual cost of necessities: $46,866
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $25,610

• Total population: 4,937
• Annual cost of necessities: $47,482
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $69,630
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $22,148

• Total population: 1,967
• Annual cost of necessities: $49,742
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $70,449
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $20,707

• Total population: 4,139
• Annual cost of necessities: $54,071
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $18,404

• Total population: 8,219
• Annual cost of necessities: $56,405
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $16,071

• Total population: 7,941
• Annual cost of necessities: $57,836
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $14,639

• Total population: 3,358
• Annual cost of necessities: $58,208
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $14,268

• Total population: 9,235
• Annual cost of necessities: $60,176
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,300

• Total population: 6,524
• Annual cost of necessities: $60,287
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,189

• Total population: 3,850
• Annual cost of necessities: $60,488
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $11,987

• Total population: 1,702
• Annual cost of necessities: $59,342
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $70,449
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $11,107

• Total population: 4,833
• Annual cost of necessities: $59,209
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $70,231
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $11,022

• Total population: 4,708
• Annual cost of necessities: $62,819
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,657

• Total population: 3,033
• Annual cost of necessities: $67,360
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $75,616
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $8,255

• Total population: 5,439
• Annual cost of necessities: $65,363
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $7,113

• Total population: 8,163
• Annual cost of necessities: $66,088
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $6,388

• Total population: 6,192
• Annual cost of necessities: $67,883
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $4,593

• Total population: 8,072
• Annual cost of necessities: $65,671
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $70,231
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $4,559

• Total population: 6,124
• Annual cost of necessities: $70,522
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $1,954

• Total population: 5,868
• Annual cost of necessities: $70,657
• Net after taxes on $100,000: $72,476
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $1,819

View more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.

Photo disclaimer: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city/county mentioned in the article was used.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the best small towns across the United States to find out how far a $100,000 salary, after taxes, will go in each city. First, the small towns are identified using the U.S. Census 2023 5-Year American Community Survey. To qualify as a small town, the total population had to be between 1,000 and 10,000. The total households, population ages 65 and over, and median household income were also sourced from the U.S. Census 2023 5-Year American Community Survey. For each city, the livability index was sourced from AreaVibes, and in order to qualify for this study, the livability index had to be at least 85, representing the places with the best quality of life. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces for the remaining best small towns, and using the average expenditure costs for all households, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for all consumer units, the average expenditure costs can be calculated. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index, and by assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost can be calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities was calculated for each location. Assuming a $100,000 salary, the take-home pay was calculated using ADP’s Salary Paycheck Calculator. The calculator assumed a $100,000 salary a year paid bi-weekly, with the worker having no overtime, filing federal taxes as a single, only working one job, not having any money coming out for deductions or dependents, not exempt from any specific federal or state taxes, claiming 1 exemption on state taxes, not paying into insurance, and paying 4% of their income to a 401(k). Using these filters, the take-home pay in each state was calculated and used with cost of living for necessities to find the leftover savings. The cities were then sorted to show the highest leftover savings first, representing the most affordable among the best small towns. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 8, 2025.