Cities Where the Average Salary Isn't Enough To Get By

The old adage about the three most important things in real estate — location, location, location — speaks to how there’s more to where you live than just geography. From the size of your paycheck to how much your groceries will cost, your location can heavily influence many important aspects of your life.

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In some cases, your home city might provide you with a lot more disposable income to save or invest after paying all of your bills. In other cases, where you live is possibly one of the main reasons why it feels like you’re fighting a losing battle with your budget every month.

That’s why GOBankingRates conducted a study to find out where residents are getting a deal on the cost of living and where Americans are regularly forced to dig themselves out of a financial hole.

To see the regional differences in how much of the typical paycheck is left over after covering costs, the study took the 50 of the most populated U.S. cities according to the United States Census Bureau and compared the average salary with the annual cost of necessities like housing, groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation. Residents in Miami, Florida had the greatest deficit, while residents of Arlington, Texas had the greatest surplus.

The results of GOBankingRates’ study show how your home city plays a huge role in determining a budget that you can live with.

Last updated: July 20, 2021

1. Miami, Florida

Median income for a single person: $28,884
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,303
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $15,638
Annual grocery cost: $3,557
Annual healthcare cost: $3,510.36
Annual utility cost: $3,039.77
Annual transportation cost: $5,482.33
Total annual cost of necessities: $31,227

Income left over after necessities: -$2,343
Percentage of income left over after necessities: -8.11%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $62,455

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2. Detroit, Michigan

Median income for a single person: $222,275
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $663
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $7,950
Annual grocery cost: $2,950.35
Annual healthcare cost: $2,995.18
Annual utility cost: $2,855.15
Annual transportation cost: $6,764.70
Total annual cost of necessities: $23,515

Income left over after necessities: $1,240
Percentage of income left over after necessities: -5.57%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $47,031

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3. New Orleans, Louisiana

Median income for a single person: $27,939
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $946
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $11,350
Annual grocery cost: $3,288.48
Annual healthcare cost: $3,027
Annual utility cost: $2,778.76
Annual transportation cost: $5,027.05
Total annual cost of necessities: $25,471

Income left over after necessities: $2,468
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 8.83%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $50,943

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4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Median income for a single person: $32,433
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,004
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $12,046
Annual grocery cost: $3,397.88
Annual healthcare cost: $3,496.15
Annual utility cost: $3,428.09
Annual transportation cost: $5,383.69
Total annual cost of necessities: $27,752

Income left over after necessities: $4,681
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 14.43%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $55,504

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5. Memphis, Tennessee

Median income for a single person: $29,232
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $864
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $10,372
Annual grocery cost: $3,092.90
Annual healthcare cost: $3,496.15
Annual utility cost: $3,065.23
Annual transportation cost: $3,585.33
Total annual cost of necessities: $23,612

Income left over after necessities: $5,620
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 19.23%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $47,223

6. Fresno, California

Median income for a single person: $31,995
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,021
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $12,246
Annual grocery cost: $3,288.48
Annual healthcare cost: $3,219.02
Annual utility cost: $3,577.69
Annual transportation cost: $3,858.50
Total annual cost of necessities: $26,190

Income left over after necessities: $5,805
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 18.14%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $44,351

7. El Paso, Texas

Median income for a single person: $28,568
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $789
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $9,468
Annual grocery cost: $3,049.80
Annual healthcare cost: $3,080.45
Annual utility cost: $3,090.69
Annual transportation cost: $3,486.69
Total annual cost of necessities: $22,176

Income left over after necessities: $6,392
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 22.38%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $44,351

8. Tucson, Arizona

Median income for a single person: $30,462
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $853
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $10,238
Annual grocery cost: $3,165.83
Annual healthcare cost: $2,895.70
Annual utility cost: $3,163.90
Annual transportation cost: $3,665
Total annual cost of necessities: $23,128

Income left over after necessities: $7,334
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 24.07%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $46,257

9. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Median income for a single person: $31,298
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $763
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $9,152
Annual grocery cost: $3,079.64
Annual healthcare cost: 3,688.01
Annual utility cost: $3,221.20
Annual transportation cost: $3,873.67
Total annual cost of necessities: $23,015

Income left over after necessities: $8,283
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 26.47%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $46,029

10. New York, New York

Median income for a single person: $48,091
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,613
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $19,360
Annual grocery cost: $3,865.29
Annual healthcare cost: $4,000.68
Annual utility cost: $4,790.42
Annual transportation cost: $6,870.93
Total annual cost of necessities: $38,887

Income left over after necessities: $9,204
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 19.14%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $77,775

11. Las Vegas, Nevada

Median income for a single person: $36,222
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $961
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $11,530
Annual grocery cost: $3,391.25
Annual healthcare cost: $3,279.42
Annual utility cost: $3,265.76
Annual transportation cost: $4,875.29
Total annual cost of necessities: $26,342

Income left over after necessities: $9,880
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 27.28%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $52,683

12. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Median income for a single person: $33,060
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $747
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $8,964
Annual grocery cost: $3,145.94
Annual healthcare cost: $3,890.54
Annual utility cost: $3,042.95
Annual transportation cost: $3,403.22
Total annual cost of necessities: $22,447

Income left over after necessities: $10,613
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 32.10%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $44,893

13. Baltimore, Maryland

Median income for a single person: $37,046
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $976
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $11,710
Annual grocery cost: $3,248.70
Annual healthcare cost: $3,183.49
Annual utility cost: $3,415.36
Annual transportation cost: $4,719.74
Total annual cost of necessities: $26,673

Income left over after necessities: $10,893
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 28.24%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $55,347

14. Mesa, Arizona

Median income for a single person: $38,566
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,139
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $13,664
Annual grocery cost: $3,222.18
Annual healthcare cost: $3,275.87
Annual utility cost: $3,186.18
Annual transportation cost: $4,325.16
Total annual cost of necessities: $27,673

Income left over after necessities: $10,893
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 28.24%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $55,347

15. Witchita, Kansas

Median income for a single person: $32,025
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $639
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $7,668
Annual grocery cost: $3,149.25
Annual healthcare cost: $3,627.61
Annual utility cost: $3,294
Annual transportation cost: $3,050.38
Total annual cost of necessities: $20,790

Income left over after necessities: $11,235
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 35.08%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $41,579

16. Indianapolis, Indiana

Median income for a single person: $33,929
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $844
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $10,132
Annual grocery cost: $3,102.84
Annual healthcare cost: $3,084
Annual utility cost: $2,871.07
Annual transportation cost: $3,444.95
Total annual cost of necessities: $22,365

Income left over after necessities: $11,294
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 33.29%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $45,270

17. San Antonio, Texas

Median income for a single person: $35,587
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $921
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $11,056
Annual grocery cost: $3,029.91
Annual healthcare cost: $3,314.95
Annual utility cost: $3,020.67
Annual transportation cost: $3,767.44
Total annual cost of necessities: $24,189

Income left over after necessities: $11,398
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 32.03%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $48,378

18. Jacksonville, Florida

Median income for a single person: $37,643
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,007
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $12,078
Annual grocery cost: $3,288.48
Annual healthcare cost: $3,449.96
Annual utility cost: $3,272.12
Annual transportation cost: $3,847.12
Total annual cost of necessities: $25,936

Income left over after necessities: $11,707
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 31.10%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $51,871

19. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Median income for a single person: $34,500
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $851
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $10,210
Annual grocery cost: $3,182.40
Annual healthcare cost: $2,881.48
Annual utility cost: $3,093.88
Annual transportation cost: $3,915.41
Total annual cost of necessities: $22,570

Income left over after necessities: $11,740
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 34.03%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $45,519

20. Louisville, Kentucky

Median income for a single person: $34,468
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $786
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $9,430
Annual grocery cost: $3,215.55
Annual healthcare cost: $3,055.58
Annual utility cost: $2,953.82
Annual transportation cost: $3,915.41
Total annual cost of necessities: $22,570

Income left over after necessities: $11,898
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 34.52%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $45,141

21. Los Angeles, California

Median income for a single person: $46,419
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,542
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $18,506
Annual grocery cost: $3,450.92
Annual healthcare cost: $3,176.38
Annual utility cost: $2,982.47
Annual transportation cost: $6,217.48
Total annual cost of necessities: $34,387

Income left over after necessities: $12,032
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 25.92%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $68,775

22. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Median income for a single person: $37,207
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $821
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $9,848
Annual grocery cost: $3,139.31
Annual healthcare cost: $4,164.12
Annual utility cost: $3,090.69
Annual transportation cost: $3,623.27
Total annual cost of necessities: $23,865

Income left over after necessities: $13,342
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 35.86%

Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $47,731

23. Kansas City, Missouri

Median income for a single person: $38,091
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $937
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $11,246
Annual grocery cost: $3,208.92
Annual healthcare cost: $3,357.59
Annual utility cost: $3,227.56
Annual transportation cost: $3,365.28
Total annual cost of necessities: $24,405
Income left over after necessities: $13,686
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 35.93%
Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $48,811

24. Omaha, Nebraska

Median income for a single person: $38,176
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $827
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $9,920
Annual grocery cost: $3,202.29
Annual healthcare cost: $4,629.56
Annual utility cost: $3,138.44
Annual transportation cost: $3,099.70
Total annual cost of necessities: $23,990
Income left over after necessities: $14,186
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 37.16%
Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $47,980

25. Arlington, Texas

Median income for a single person: $41,039
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,034
Annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $12,410
Annual grocery cost: $3,252.02
Annual healthcare cost: $3,531.68
Annual utility cost: $3,183
Annual transportation cost: $4,347.92
Total annual cost of necessities: $26,725
Income left over after necessities: $14,314
Percentage of income left over after necessities: 37.16%
Salary needed to live “comfortably”: $53,449

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Joel Anderson contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: GOBankingRates determined cities where the average salary isn’t enough to get by, by looking at 50 of the most populated cities according to the United States Census Bureau along these criteria: (1) Median Non-family Income from 2019 American Community Survey from the United States Census Bureau; (2) average monthly/annual rent for a one bedroom as sourced from ApartmentList’s 2021 data; (3) itemized cost of living index for groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare and miscellaneous expenditure, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey 3rd quarter 2019 through 2nd quarter 2020 for a single person, which were adjusted to each city’s local cost of living, sourced from Sperling’s Best Places. Factors (2) and (3) were then combined to give each city a (4) total annual necessities cost, which was then subtracted from each city’s on-family median income to give each city (5) leftover income after necessities. All data was collected and is up to date as of July 12, 2021.

The United states Census Bureau defines a nonfamily household as “a householder living alone (a one-person household) or where the householder shares the home exclusively with people to whom he/she is not related.”