How Much You Need To Make To Live in the Most Expensive City in Every State

Cost-of-living expenses in many American cities exceed what many households can afford.

Average inflation outpaced wage growth in April 2021 and peaked in June 2022, according to Statista. It began declining in July 2022 and dropped below wage growth in February 2023. Homelessness increased six percent between 2017 and 2022, hitting the highest numbers it’s been in known history, and many younger people are being priced out of home ownership, reported CNN. The Harvard Research Center found that renters spent significant portions of their income on housing and utilities in 2021 and 2022, and though the numbers dropped in 2023, recovery is challenging. 

GOBankingRates considered the data from Sperling’s BestPlaces, the U.S. Census American Community Survey and the Zillow Home Value Index and compiled this list of the most expensive cities in every state to see how each stacks up. The Federal Reserve Economic Data on the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage and the Bureau of Labor Statistics information on average budget expenditures also factored into the numbers.  

Below, you’ll find out what salary you need to earn to live comfortably in the most expensive city in every state. Though it’s not part of any U.S. state, Washington, D.C., is one of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country and is included here.

While this high-priced list includes some of the usual suspects (looking at you, New York), some of these cities may surprise you.

• Population total: 7, 875
• Household total: 3,188
• Average home value: $150,465
• Average mortgage payment: $896
• Average monthly expenses: $1,869
• Cost-of-living index: 95.5  
• Annual total cost of living: $33,184 
• Median annual income: $57,276
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $66,368 

• Population total: 11,951 
• Household total: 4,502
• Average home value: $214,984
• Average mortgage payment: $1,281
• Average monthly expenses: $1,863
• Cost-of-living index: 93.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $37,724
• Median annual income: $33,411
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $75,448

• Population total: 10,872 
• Household total: 3,584
• Average home value: $227,632
• Average mortgage payment: $1,356
• Average monthly expenses: $2,005
• Cost-of-living index: 93.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $40,331
• Median annual income: $55,405
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $80,662

• Population total: 7,847 
• Household total: 2,805
• Average home value: $253,168
• Average mortgage payment: $1,508
• Average monthly expenses: $1,962
• Cost-of-living index: 119.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $41,639
• Median annual income: $48,374
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $83,279

• Population total: 63,336
• Household total: 24,444
• Average home value: $284,885
• Average mortgage payment: $1,697
• Average monthly expenses: $1,995
• Cost-of-living index: 95.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $44,309
• Median annual income: $79,839
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $88,617

• Population total: 33,417 
• Household total: 11,976
• Average home value: $296,243
• Average mortgage payment: $1,765
• Average monthly expenses: $2,088
• Cost-of-living index: 100.1 
• Annual total cost of living: $46,234
• Median annual income: $89,423
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $92,468

• Population total: 30,297 
• Household total: 12,531
• Average home value: $329,091
• Average mortgage payment: $1,961
• Average monthly expenses: $1,911
• Cost-of-living index: 91.6 
• Annual total cost of living: $46,460
• Median annual income: $83,989
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $92,919

• Population total: 9,862 
• Household total: 41,46
• Average home value: $308,622
• Average mortgage payment: $1,839
• Average monthly expenses: $2,123
• Cost-of-living index: 119.7 
• Annual total cost of living: $47,538
• Median annual income: $67,176
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $95,076

• Population total: 6,113 
• Household total: 2,220
• Average home value: $356,424
• Average mortgage payment: $2,123
• Average monthly expenses: $1,849
• Cost-of-living index: 112 
• Annual total cost of living: $47,667
• Median annual income: $70,568
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $95,335

• Population total: 73,694 
• Household total: 31,716
• Average home value: $367,062
• Average mortgage payment: $2,187
• Average monthly expenses: $1,796
• Cost-of-living index: 95.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $47,796
• Median annual income: $76,014
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $95,591

• Population total: 11,905 
• Household total: 4,120
• Average home value: $339,652
• Average mortgage payment: $2,023
• Average monthly expenses: $2,064
• Cost-of-living index: 97.8 
• Annual total cost of living: $49,045
• Median annual income: $71,532
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $98,090

• Population total: 7,247 
• Household total: 2,437
• Average home value: $353,223
• Average mortgage payment: $2,104
• Average monthly expenses: $2,018
• Cost-of-living index: 108.1 
• Annual total cost of living: $49,465
• Median annual income: $47,238
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $98,929

• Population total: 10,073 
• Household total: 3,684
• Average home value: $367,715
• Average mortgage payment: $2,191
• Average monthly expenses: $1,981
• Cost-of-living index: 107.1 
• Annual total cost of living: $50,065
• Median annual income: $72,265
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $100,129

• Population total: 35,685 
• Household total: 13,067
• Average home value: $352,487
• Average mortgage payment: $2,100
• Average monthly expenses: $2,075
• Cost-of-living index: 108.1 
• Annual total cost of living: $50,098
• Median annual income: $82,547
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $100,197

• Population total: 10,781 
• Household total: 3,794
• Average home value: $351,854
• Average mortgage payment: $2,037
• Average monthly expenses: $2,144
• Cost-of-living index: 105.3 
• Annual total cost of living: $50,171
• Median annual income: $92,059
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $100,342

• Population total: 41,926 
• Household total: 16,026
• Average home value: $394,118
• Average mortgage payment: $2,348
• Average monthly expenses: $1,963
• Cost-of-living index: 111.9 
• Annual total cost of living: $51,730
• Median annual income: $86,387
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $103,460

• Population total: 6,248 
• Household total: 2,220
• Average home value: $395,593
• Average mortgage payment: $2,357
• Average monthly expenses: $2,016
• Cost-of-living index: 106.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $52,479
• Median annual income: $102,685
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $104,957

• Median income: $86,556
• Income needed if you’re a homeowner: $122,078
• Population total: 12,057 
• Household total: 4,549
• Average home value: $420,000
• Average mortgage payment: $2,502
• Average monthly expenses: $2,005
• Cost-of-living index: 129.3 
• Annual total cost of living: $54,084
• Median annual income: $76,917
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $108,168

• Population total: 7,486 
• Household total: 3,677
• Average home value: $427,659
• Average mortgage payment: $2,548
• Average monthly expenses: $2,070
• Cost-of-living index: 109.7 
• Annual total cost of living: $55,417
• Median annual income: $74,022
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $110,835

• Population total: 6,584 
• Household total: 2,553
• Average home value: $383,408
• Average mortgage payment: $2,284
• Average monthly expenses: $2,358
• Cost-of-living index: 111.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $55,709
• Median annual income: $83,275
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $111,418

• Population total: 16,725 
• Household total: 6,799
• Average home value: $499,854
• Average mortgage payment: $2,978
• Average monthly expenses: $1,904
• Cost-of-living index: 112.5 
• Annual total cost of living: $58,583
• Median annual income: $66,696
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $117,165

• Population total: 41,342 
• Household total: 16,060
• Average home value: $495,794
• Average mortgage payment: $2,954
• Average monthly expenses: $2,020
• Cost-of-living index: 107.3 
• Annual total cost of living: $59,685
• Median annual income: $121,837
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $119,369

• Population total: 8,462 
• Household total: 3,459
• Average home value: $487,707
• Average mortgage payment: $2,906
• Average monthly expenses: $2,188
• Cost-of-living index: 119.3 
• Annual total cost of living: $61,121
• Median annual income: $95,261
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $122,242

• Population total: 54,262 
• Household total: 17,369
• Average home value: $476,500
• Average mortgage payment: $2,839
• Average monthly expenses: $2,298
• Cost-of-living index: 138.5 
• Annual total cost of living: $61,637
• Median annual income: $104,582
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $123,274

• Population total: 25,868 
• Household total: 9,578
• Average home value: $535,167
• Average mortgage payment: $3,188
• Average monthly expenses: $1,958
• Cost-of-living index: 112.9 
• Annual total cost of living: $61,751
• Median annual income: $131,633
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $123,501

• Population total: 23,027 
• Household total: 9,275
• Average home value: $521,599
• Average mortgage payment: $3,107
• Average monthly expenses: $2,073
• Cost-of-living index: 118.9 
• Annual total cost of living: $62,171
• Median annual income: $83,750
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $124,341

• Population total: 99,453 
• Household total: 37,888
• Average home value: $554,508
• Average mortgage payment: $3,304
• Average monthly expenses: $1,942
• Cost-of-living index: 106 
• Annual total cost of living: $62,949
• Median annual income: $132,859
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $125,899

• Population total: 10,941 
• Household total: 4,402
• Average home value: $567,298
• Average mortgage payment: $3,380
• Average monthly expenses: $1,882
• Cost-of-living index: 125.7 
• Annual total cost of living: $63,141
• Median annual income: $82,769
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $126,282

• Population total: 149,960 
• Household total: 65,198
• Average home value: $576,269
• Average mortgage payment: $3,433
• Average monthly expenses: $1,982
• Cost-of-living index: 112 
• Annual total cost of living: $64,976
• Median annual income: $83,891
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $129,953

• Median income: $115,179

• Population total: 958,202 
• Household total: 423,079
• Average home value: $578,348
• Average mortgage payment: $3,446
• Average monthly expenses: $2,056
• Cost-of-living index: 129.1 
• Annual total cost of living: $66,024
• Median annual income: $86,556
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $132,047

• Population total: 7,669 
• Household total: 2,680
• Average home value: $596,329
• Average mortgage payment: $3,553
• Average monthly expenses: $1,980
• Cost-of-living index: 98.4 
• Annual total cost of living: $66,394
• Median annual income: $166,563
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $132,788

• Median income:
• Population total: 18,127 
• Household total: 6,836
• Average home value: $585,622
• Average mortgage payment: $3,489
• Average monthly expenses: $2,065
• Cost-of-living index: 133.7 
• Annual total cost of living: $66,641
• Median annual income: $91,823
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $133,283

• Population total: 11,551 
• Household total: 4,634
• Average home value: $538,453
• Average mortgage payment: $3,208
• Average monthly expenses: $2,448
• Cost-of-living index: 138.6 
• Annual total cost of living: $67,869
• Median annual income: $79,500
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $135,738

• Population total: 7,371 
• Household total: 2,708
• Average home value: $612,721
• Average mortgage payment: $3,650
• Average monthly expenses: $2,060
• Cost-of-living index: 121.9 
• Annual total cost of living: $68,519
• Median annual income: $71,855
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $137,038

• Population total: 44,646 
• Household total: 17,448
• Average home value: $554,563
• Average mortgage payment: $3,304
• Average monthly expenses: $2,501
• Cost-of-living index: 112.4 
• Annual total cost of living: $69,661
• Median annual income: $64,931
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $139,321

• Population total: 28,223 
• Household total: 9,306
• Average home value: $585,064
• Average mortgage payment: $3,486
• Average monthly expenses: $2,372
• Cost-of-living index: 141 
• Annual total cost of living: $70,289
• Median annual income: $121,738
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $140,578

• Population total: 85,623 
• Household total: 30,987
• Average home value: $629,829
• Average mortgage payment: $3,752
• Average monthly expenses: $2,159
• Cost-of-living index: 158.1 
• Annual total cost of living: $70,932
• Median annual income: $87,406
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $141,863

• Population total: 76,177 
• Household total: 27,062
• Average home value: $688,011
• Average mortgage payment: $4,099
• Average monthly expenses: $1,947
• Cost-of-living index: 116.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $72,545
• Median annual income: $65,652
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $145,089

• Median income: $58,73
• Population total: 670,587 
• Household total: 315,785
• Average home value: $733,917
• Average mortgage payment: $4,372
• Average monthly expenses: $2,342
• Cost-of-living index: 151.9 
• Annual total cost of living: $80,567
• Median annual income: $101,722
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $161,135

• Population total: 9,238 
• Household total: 3,250
• Average home value: $877,002
• Average mortgage payment: $5,225
• Average monthly expenses: $1,847
• Cost-of-living index: 134.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $84,866
• Median annual income: $77,035
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $169,732

• Population total: 3,188 
• Household total: 1,149
• Average home value: $828,397
• Average mortgage payment: $4,935
• Average monthly expenses: $2,249
• Cost-of-living index: 148.2 
• Annual total cost of living: $86,210
• Median annual income: $102,943
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $172,421

• Population total: 14,576 
• Household total: 5,740
• Average home value: $859,909
• Average mortgage payment: $5,123
• Average monthly expenses: $2,257
• Cost-of-living index: 177 
• Annual total cost of living: $88,560
• Median annual income: $164,536
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $177,120

• Median income: $76,332
• Population total: 8,622,467 
• Household total: 3,282,404
• Average home value: $777,820
• Average mortgage payment: $4,634
• Average monthly expenses: $2,911
• Cost-of-living index: 172.5 
• Annual total cost of living: $90,537
• Median annual income: $76,607
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $181,074

• Population total: 25,087 
• Household total: 10,645
• Average home value: $930,043
• Average mortgage payment: $5,541
• Average monthly expenses: $2,024
• Cost-of-living index: 130.3 
• Annual total cost of living: $90,781
• Median annual income: $81,330
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $181,562

• Population total: 9,177 
• Household total: 2,966
• Average home value: $829,000
• Average mortgage payment: $4,939
• Average monthly expenses: $2,765
• Cost-of-living index: 171.5 
• Annual total cost of living: $92,446
• Median annual income: $124,018
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $84,893

• Population total: 44,830 
• Household total: 14,880
• Average home value: $1,304,325
• Average mortgage payment: $7,771
• Average monthly expenses: $2,049
• Cost-of-living index: 139.4 
• Annual total cost of living: $117,837
• Median annual income: $181,576
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $235,673

• Population total: 8,379 
• Household total: 2,876
• Average home value: $2,091,227
• Average mortgage payment: $12,459
• Average monthly expenses: $1,910
• Cost-of-living index: 169 
• Annual total cost of living: $172,427
• Median annual income: $132,315
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $344,854

• Population total: 10,748 
• Household total: 4,352
• Average home value: $2,402,353
• Average mortgage payment: $14,312
• Average monthly expenses: $2,144
• Cost-of-living index: 180.9 
• Annual total cost of living: $197,471
• Median annual income: $101,477
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $394,943

• Population total: 10,479 
• Household total: 3,261
• Average home value: $2,973,334
• Average mortgage payment: $17,714
• Average monthly expenses: $2,114
• Cost-of-living index: 258 
• Annual total cost of living: $237,931
• Median annual income: $131,736
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $475,862

• Population total: 7,124 
• Household total: 2,183
• Average home value: $7,693,373
• Average mortgage payment: $45,834
• Average monthly expenses: $2,511
• Cost-of-living index: 250 
• Annual total cost of living: $580,137
• Median annual income: $250,000
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $1,160,273

• Population total: 6,952 
• Household total: 3,746
• Average home value: $9,117,498
• Average mortgage payment: $54,318
• Average monthly expenses: $1,886
• Cost-of-living index: 220.4 
• Annual total cost of living: $674,448
• Median annual income: $94,338
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $1,348,897