12 Worst Places To Live on an Average Income

With the average family household income in the U.S. being $97,962 and the median being $69,717, achieving this income or around this figure is significant accomplishment. But it’s not all good times from there, or easy living, or a breezy retirement just because you achieved and/or are achieving such a massive milestone. Instead you now have to be very particular where you’re living, or you’ll soon find that average income slowly or firstly dwindle and dreams of comfortability and relaxing golden years can easily slip.

This is why GOBankingRates created this list of places where living on an average income is a bad idea due to high cost of living, poor home and rent affordability, overall accounted net losses for average income individuals, etc. Many of these places chosen are areas that currently or are known to have many average income populations already, and therefore this list can act as a solid warning sign to not join them if you don’t have to.

Various sources were used to find this data including, US Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, AreaVibes, Zillow, SalaryExpert, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve Economic Data, as well as help from ChatGPT to all help curate the perfect list.

• Median Income: $116,068
• Income Needed if Homeowner: $170,812
• Income Needed if Renter: $99,115

Despite its booming tech industry, Seattle’s high cost of living, especially in housing, makes it tough to live comfortably on an average income.

• Median Income: $169,023
• Income Needed if Homeowner: $251,359
• Income Needed if Renter: $114,614

Fremont’s proximity to Silicon Valley drives up the cost of living significantly, making it difficult for those earning average wages.

• Median Income: $79,026
• Income Needed if Homeowner: $106,858
• Income Needed if Renter: $88,561

While Colorado Springs is more affordable than some major cities, the gap between median income and the income needed to live comfortably can strain budgets.

• Median Income: $77,655
• Income Needed if Homeowner: $105,287
• Income Needed if Renter: $91,167

Atlanta’s rising housing costs and living expenses outpace the median income, making it challenging to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

• Income Needed for Single Adult: $124,966
• Income Needed for Two Adults with Two Children: $319,738

Boston’s high cost of living, particularly in housing and healthcare, requires significantly more than the average salary to live comfortably.

• Income Needed for Single Adult: $136,739
• Income Needed for Two Adults with Two Children: $334,547

San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley, has one of the highest costs of living in the country, making it tough for those on average incomes.

• Income Needed for Single Adult: $138,570
• Income Needed for Two Adults with Two Children: $318,406

The Big Apple’s exorbitant living costs, especially for housing, make it difficult to get by on an average salary.

• Median Income: $71,736
• Income Needed if Homeowner: $88,767
• Income Needed if Renter: $85,158

While Arlington offers a lower cost of living than many major cities, the required income still outstrips the median income.

• Median Income: $83,102
• Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $112,411

Honolulu’s high cost of living, driven by expensive housing and imported goods, makes it challenging to live on an average salary.

• Average Annual Income: $71,978
• Annual Expenses: $61,335
• Income Leftover: $10,643

The high cost of living in Los Angeles, especially for rent and transportation, leaves little room for savings or discretionary spending.

• Average Annual Income: $71,978
• Annual Expenses: $66,604
• Income Leftover: $5,374

San Diego’s high cost of living, driven by expensive housing and transportation, makes it difficult to get by on an average salary.

• Average Annual Income: $71,978
• Annual Expenses: $61,779
• Income Leftover: $10,199

Oakland’s high cost of living, especially in housing, leaves little room for savings or discretionary spending.