This Is the Cost of Living Comfortably in America’s 50 Biggest Cities

Living a comfortable life in the 50 biggest cities in the United States requires earning an income of at least $50,000 annually — and in many cities, homeowners and renters need to earn six figures.

To determine how much it takes to live comfortably in the 50 biggest U.S. cities, GOBankingRates analyzed the 50 largest cities by total population, total households and median and mean household incomes. The average home value, along with the 30-year national fixed rate average mortgage rate, was also sourced to calculate each city’s average mortgage cost. The average expenditure cost was also calculated using the cost of living indexes and this cost along with housing costs were summed to find the average cost of living for a renter and a homeowner in each city.

Ranked in order of cities with the lowest to highest total population, keep reading to find out how much it costs to live comfortably in these 50 major cities.

• Population total: 393,469
• Household total: 137,519
• Household median income: $71,736
• Household mean income: $92,583
• Livability index: 78
• Home value (March 2024): $320,847
• Average expenditure cost: $2,043
• Average mortgage cost: $1,954
• Average rent cost: $1,621
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,665
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,998
• Annual income needed for renter: $87,957
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $95,945

• Population total: 395,951
• Household total: 156,054
• Household median income: $60,712
• Household mean income: $84,475
• Livability index: 66
• Home value (March 2024): $192,411
• Average expenditure cost: $2,102
• Average mortgage cost: $1,172
• Average rent cost: $1,029
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,132
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,274
• Annual income needed for renter: $75,157
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $78,584

• Population total: 404,321
• Household total: 124,744
• Household median income: $73,827
• Household mean income: $99,270
• Livability index: 58
• Home value (March 2024): $389,888
• Average expenditure cost: $2,069
• Average mortgage cost: $2,375
• Average rent cost: $1,948
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $4,016
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,444
• Annual income needed for renter: $96,393
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $106,645

• Population total: 411,938
• Household total: 169,783
• Household median income: $56,648
• Household mean income: $86,593
• Livability index: 75
• Home value (March 2024): $205,381
• Average expenditure cost: $1,975
• Average mortgage cost: $1,251
• Average rent cost: $1,230
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,204
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,225
• Annual income needed for renter: $76,898
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $77,411

• Population total: 426,877
• Household total: 185,674
• Household median income: $76,332
• Household mean income: $108,980
• Livability index: 78
• Home value (March 2024): $337,927
• Average expenditure cost: $2,157
• Average mortgage cost: $2,058
• Average rent cost: $1,628
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,784
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,215
• Annual income needed for renter: $90,823
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $101,155

• Population total: 437,825
• Household total: 170,282
• Household median income: $94,389
• Household mean income: $139,468
• Livability index: 74
• Home value (March 2024): $878,112
• Average expenditure cost: $2,524
• Average mortgage cost: $5,348
• Average rent cost: $2,500
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,024
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $7,872
• Annual income needed for renter: $120,576
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $188,928

• Population total: 443,665
• Household total: 186,137
• Household median income: $54,858
• Household mean income: $90,171
• Livability index: 79
• Home value (March 2024): $629,115
• Average expenditure cost: $2,060
• Average mortgage cost: $3,832
• Average rent cost: $3,125
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,185
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $5,891
• Annual income needed for renter: $124,430
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $141,394

• Population total: 457,900
• Household total: 178,915
• Household median income: $87,544
• Household mean income: $113,388
• Livability index: 83
• Home value (March 2024): $410,347
• Average expenditure cost: $2,262
• Average mortgage cost: $2,499
• Average rent cost: $1,874
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $4,135
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,761
• Annual income needed for renter: $99,249
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $114,265

• Population total: 462,293
• Household total: 170,174
• Household median income: $78,995
• Household mean income: $104,313
• Livability index: 70
• Home value (March 2024): $910,466
• Average expenditure cost: $2,184
• Average mortgage cost: $5,545
• Average rent cost: $2,245
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $4,429
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $7,730
• Annual income needed for renter: $106,292
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $185,509

• Population total: 465,517
• Household total: 189,830
• Household median income: $78,631
• Household mean income: $112,110
• Livability index: 84
• Home value (March 2024): $450,529
• Average expenditure cost: $2,041
• Average mortgage cost: $2,744
• Average rent cost: $1,669
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,709
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,785
• Annual income needed for renter: $89,023
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $114,833

• Population total: 479,612
• Household total: 193,149
• Household median income: $79,026
• Household mean income: $102,139
• Livability index: 80
• Home value (March 2024): $462,214
• Average expenditure cost: $2,082
• Average mortgage cost: $2,815
• Average rent cost: $1,809
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,891
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,897
• Annual income needed for renter: $93,374
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $117,528

• Population total: 489,201
• Household total: 197,842
• Household median income: $70,202
• Household mean income: $97,761
• Livability index: 82
• Home value (March 2024): $279,525
• Average expenditure cost: $2,233
• Average mortgage cost: $1,703
• Average rent cost: $1,315
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,548
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,936
• Annual income needed for renter: $85,154
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $94,453

• Population total: 494,838
• Household total: 227,388
• Household median income: $77,655
• Household mean income: $128,965
• Livability index: 78
• Home value (March 2024): $448,366
• Average expenditure cost: $2,038
• Average mortgage cost: $2,731
• Average rent cost: $1,939
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,977
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,769
• Annual income needed for renter: $95,458
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $114,464

• Population total: 503,390
• Household total: 193,316
• Household median income: $73,766
• Household mean income: $95,399
• Livability index: 82
• Home value (March 2024): $451,000
• Average expenditure cost: $1,998
• Average mortgage cost: $2,747
• Average rent cost: $1,689
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,688
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,745
• Annual income needed for renter: $88,501
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $113,883

• Population total: 505,958
• Household total: 216,513
• Household median income: $65,256
• Household mean income: $87,670
• Livability index: 77
• Home value (March 2024): $237,778
• Average expenditure cost: $1,952
• Average mortgage cost: $1,448
• Average rent cost: $1,361
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,312
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,400
• Annual income needed for renter: $79,498
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $81,601

• Population total: 505,958
• Household total: 196,524
• Household median income: $78,954
• Household mean income: $102,258
• Livability index: 76
• Home value (March 2024): $489,601
• Average expenditure cost: $2,231
• Average mortgage cost: $2,982
• Average rent cost: $2,089
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $4,319
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $5,213
• Annual income needed for renter: $103,665
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $125,110

• Population total: 541,033
• Household total: 220,769
• Household median income: $52,049
• Household mean income: $69,553
• Livability index: 74
• Home value (March 2024): $337,388
• Average expenditure cost: $1,900
• Average mortgage cost: $2,055
• Average rent cost: $1,484
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,384
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,955
• Annual income needed for renter: $81,226
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $94,918

• Population total: 541,528
• Household total: 177,757
• Household median income: $63,001
• Household mean income: $85,872
• Livability index: 65
• Home value (March 2024): $387,273
• Average expenditure cost: $2,077
• Average mortgage cost: $2,359
• Average rent cost: $1,825
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,902
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,436
• Annual income needed for renter: $93,644
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $106,464

• Population total: 562,551
• Household total: 239,800
• Household median income: $61,503
• Household mean income: $83,679
• Livability index: 71
• Home value (March 2024): $332,230
• Average expenditure cost: $1,893
• Average mortgage cost: $2,024
• Average rent cost: $1,483
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,376
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,917
• Annual income needed for renter: $81,028
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $94,002

• Population total: 573,299
• Household total: 230,759
• Household median income: $49,733
• Household mean income: $67,046
• Livability index: 78
• Home value (March 2024): $198,370
• Average expenditure cost: $2,048
• Average mortgage cost: $1,208
• Average rent cost: $1,294
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,342
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,257
• Annual income needed for renter: $80,212
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $78,157

• Population total: 584,548
• Household total: 247,232
• Household median income: $58,349
• Household mean income: $85,857
• Livability index: 75
• Home value (March 2024): $181,941
• Average expenditure cost: $1,987
• Average mortgage cost: $1,108
• Average rent cost: $1,687
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,674
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,095
• Annual income needed for renter: $88,170
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $74,282

• Population total: 629,176
• Household total: 261,105
• Household median income: $63,114
• Household mean income: $88,552
• Livability index: 60
• Home value (March 2024): $243,630
• Average expenditure cost: $1,874
• Average mortgage cost: $1,484
• Average rent cost: $1,370
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,244
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,358
• Annual income needed for renter: $77,855
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $80,583

• Population total: 630,027
• Household total: 251,586
• Household median income: $48,090
• Household mean income: $74,176
• Livability index: 69
• Home value (March 2024): $146,180
• Average expenditure cost: $1,933
• Average mortgage cost: $890
• Average rent cost: $1,287
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,220
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $2,824
• Annual income needed for renter: $77,278
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $67,765

• Population total: 636,787
• Household total: 249,518
• Household median income: $37,761
• Household mean income: $54,054
• Livability index: 73
• Home value (March 2024): $70,144
• Average expenditure cost: $1,900
• Average mortgage cost: $427
• Average rent cost: $1,273
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,172
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $2,327
• Annual income needed for renter: $76,133
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $55,844

• Population total: 644,835
• Household total: 240,462
• Household median income: $66,356
• Household mean income: $93,515
• Livability index: 82
• Home value (March 2024): $436,591
• Average expenditure cost: $2,057
• Average mortgage cost: $2,659
• Average rent cost: $1,732
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,790
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,716
• Annual income needed for renter: $90,951
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $113,194

• Population total: 646,101
• Household total: 283,896
• Household median income: $85,876
• Household mean income: $117,687
• Livability index: 77
• Home value (March 2024): $562,695
• Average expenditure cost: $2,157
• Average mortgage cost: $3,427
• Average rent cost: $1,746
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,902
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $5,584
• Annual income needed for renter: $93,658
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $134,014

• Population total: 665,945
• Household total: 276,053
• Household median income: $89,212
• Household mean income: $132,509
• Livability index: 77
• Home value (March 2024): $789,164
• Average expenditure cost: $2,451
• Average mortgage cost: $4,807
• Average rent cost: $3,277
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,729
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $7,258
• Annual income needed for renter: $137,485
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $174,191

• Population total: 670,587
• Household total: 315,785
• Household median income: $101,722
• Household mean income: $150,292
• Livability index: 73
• Home value (March 2024): $730,878
• Average expenditure cost: $2,557
• Average mortgage cost: $4,452
• Average rent cost: $2,445
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,001
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $7,008
• Annual income needed for renter: $120,033
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $168,201

• Population total: 677,181
• Household total: 239,624
• Household median income: $55,710
• Household mean income: $75,349
• Livability index: 80
• Home value (March 2024): $222,484
• Average expenditure cost: $1,829
• Average mortgage cost: $1,355
• Average rent cost: $1,521
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,349
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,184
• Annual income needed for renter: $80,387
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $76,411

• Population total: 681,088
• Household total: 270,070
• Household median income: $64,251
• Household mean income: $88,664
• Livability index: 81
• Home value (March 2024): $204,229
• Average expenditure cost: $1,978
• Average mortgage cost: $1,244
• Average rent cost: $1,261
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,239
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,222
• Annual income needed for renter: $77,728
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $77,326

• Population total: 684,103
• Household total: 291,884
• Household median income: $71,328
• Household mean income: $102,258
• Livability index: 78
• Home value (March 2024): $450,819
• Average expenditure cost: $2,013
• Average mortgage cost: $2,746
• Average rent cost: $1,887
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,900
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,759
• Annual income needed for renter: $93,601
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $114,206

• Population total: 710,800
• Household total: 322,964
• Household median income: $85,853
• Household mean income: $122,771
• Livability index: 75
• Home value (March 2024): $620,346
• Average expenditure cost: $2,247
• Average mortgage cost: $3,778
• Average rent cost: $1,991
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $4,239
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $6,026
• Annual income needed for renter: $101,726
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $144,616

• Population total: 734,603
• Household total: 345,246
• Household median income: $116,068
• Household mean income: $161,694
• Livability index: 76
• Home value (March 2024): $965,541
• Average expenditure cost: $2,214
• Average mortgage cost: $5,881
• Average rent cost: $2,202
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $4,416
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $8,095
• Annual income needed for renter: $105,984
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $194,270

• Population total: 851,036
• Household total: 360,842
• Household median income: $136,689
• Household mean income: $197,408
• Livability index: 79
• Home value (March 2024): $1,423,316
• Average expenditure cost: $2,630
• Average mortgage cost: $8,669
• Average rent cost: $3,288
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,918
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $11,299
• Annual income needed for renter: $142,032
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $271,172

• Population total: 875,045
• Household total: 354,442
• Household median income: $74,070
• Household mean income: $113,613
• Livability index: 80
• Home value (March 2024): $407,320
• Average expenditure cost: $2,033
• Average mortgage cost: $2,481
• Average rent cost: $1,762
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,794
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,514
• Annual income needed for renter: $91,066
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $108,324

• Population total: 882,006
• Household total: 356,357
• Household median income: $59,110
• Household mean income: $82,697
• Livability index: 77
• Home value (March 2024): $227,467
• Average expenditure cost: $1,945
• Average mortgage cost: $1,385
• Average rent cost: $1,376
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,322
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,331
• Annual income needed for renter: $79,720
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $79,937

• Population total: 902,449
• Household total: 382,140
• Household median income: $62,994
• Household mean income: $82,282
• Livability index: 79
• Home value (March 2024): $259,081
• Average expenditure cost: $1,993
• Average mortgage cost: $1,578
• Average rent cost: $1,422
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,415
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,571
• Annual income needed for renter: $81,957
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $85,698

• Population total: 924,663
• Household total: 326,648
• Household median income: $72,726
• Household mean income: $97,226
• Livability index: 80
• Home value (March 2024): $306,285
• Average expenditure cost: $2,048
• Average mortgage cost: $1,866
• Average rent cost: $1,700
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,747
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,913
• Annual income needed for renter: $89,937
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $93,914

• Population total: 950,203
• Household total: 375,851
• Household median income: $64,138
• Household mean income: $87,378
• Livability index: 80
• Home value (March 2024): $307,321
• Average expenditure cost: $2,024
• Average mortgage cost: $1,872
• Average rent cost: $1,627
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,651
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,896
• Annual income needed for renter: $87,629
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $93,508

• Population total: 958,202
• Household total: 423,079
• Household median income: $86,556
• Household mean income: $122,474
• Livability index: 83
• Home value (March 2024): $572,223
• Average expenditure cost: $2,053
• Average mortgage cost: $3,485
• Average rent cost: $1,730
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,783
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $5,538
• Annual income needed for renter: $90,796
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $132,914

• Population total: 1,001,176
• Household total: 324,842
• Household median income: $136,010
• Household mean income: $179,853
• Livability index: 81
• Home value (March 2024): $1,561,409
• Average expenditure cost: $2,529
• Average mortgage cost: $9,510
• Average rent cost: $3,142
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,672
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $12,040
• Annual income needed for renter: $136,119
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $288,953

• Population total: 1,300,642
• Household total: 521,147
• Household median income: $63,985
• Household mean income: $102,023
• Livability index: 81
• Home value (March 2024): $331,957
• Average expenditure cost: $2,037
• Average mortgage cost: $2,022
• Average rent cost: $1,710
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,747
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,059
• Annual income needed for renter: $89,930
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $97,419

• Population total: 1,383,987
• Household total: 515,475
• Household median income: $98,657
• Household mean income: $132,533
• Livability index: 77
• Home value (March 2024): $1,147,699
• Average expenditure cost: $2,367
• Average mortgage cost: $6,990
• Average rent cost: $3,000
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,367
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $9,357
• Annual income needed for renter: $128,805
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $224,579

• Population total: 1,445,662
• Household total: 542,817
• Household median income: $59,593
• Household mean income: $80,313
• Livability index: 80
• Home value (March 2024): $259,103
• Average expenditure cost: $1,941
• Average mortgage cost: $1,578
• Average rent cost: $1,417
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,359
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,519
• Annual income needed for renter: $80,610
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $84,466

• Population total: 1,593,208
• Household total: 659,129
• Household median income: $57,537
• Household mean income: $84,435
• Livability index: 77
• Home value (March 2024): $211,411
• Average expenditure cost: $2,115
• Average mortgage cost: $1,288
• Average rent cost: $1,726
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,842
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,403
• Annual income needed for renter: $92,200
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $81,674

• Population total: 1,609,456
• Household total: 591,169
• Household median income: $72,092
• Household mean income: $99,862
• Livability index: 75
• Home value (March 2024): $440,188
• Average expenditure cost: $2,007
• Average mortgage cost: $2,681
• Average rent cost: $1,715
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,722
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $4,688
• Annual income needed for renter: $89,320
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $112,510

• Population total: 2,296,253
• Household total: 897,510
• Household median income: $60,440
• Household mean income: $97,458
• Livability index: 74
• Home value (March 2024): $275,085
• Average expenditure cost: $1,991
• Average mortgage cost: $1,675
• Average rent cost: $1,583
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $3,574
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,666
• Annual income needed for renter: $85,778
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $87,991

• Population total: 2,721,914
• Household total: 1,129,908
• Household median income: $71,673
• Household mean income: $108,346
• Livability index: 76
• Home value (March 2024): $298,606
• Average expenditure cost: $2,142
• Average mortgage cost: $1,819
• Average rent cost: $2,126
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $4,268
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $3,961
• Annual income needed for renter: $102,436
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $95,052

• Population total: 3,881,041
• Household total: 1,399,442
• Household median income: $76,244
• Household mean income: $116,961
• Livability index: 70
• Home value (March 2024): $1,043,649
• Average expenditure cost: $2,199
• Average mortgage cost: $6,357
• Average rent cost: $2,803
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $5,003
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $8,556
• Annual income needed for renter: $120,070
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $205,347

• Population total: 8,622,467
• Household total: 3,282,804
• Household median income: $76,607
• Household mean income: $122,667
• Livability index: 76
• Home value (March 2024): $777,303
• Average expenditure cost: $2,682
• Average mortgage cost: $4,734
• Average rent cost: $3,462
• Total monthly cost of living for renter: $6,144
• Total monthly cost of living for homeowner: $7,417
• Annual income needed for renter: $147,460
• Annual income needed for homeowner: $177,999

Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting for this piece.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the 50 largest cities by population as sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. Along with the total population, the total households, median household income, and mean household income were also sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. The average home value was found from Zillow Home Value Index for March 2024, and using the 30-year national fixed rate average mortgage rate as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost was calculated for each city. The average expenditure cost was calculated by using the cost-of-living indexes as sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and the national average expenditure costs as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey for all residents. The average expenditure cost and the housing costs were summed to find the average cost of living for a renter and a homeowner. The livability index was sourced for each city as supplemental information. Using the 50/30/20 rule that states that needs should not be more than 50% of income, the income needed for each city was calculated by doubling the annual total cost of living. The cities were sorted from the most to the least populated. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 29, 2024.