Middle Class and Single: Cost of Living in 50 Major Cities

Rent costs in New York and Miami are devouring the paychecks of single middle-class Americans. According to a new study from GOBankingRates, rent accounts for more than 90% of gross income in these two wildly popular metros.

To determine the cost of living for single middle-class Americans, GOBankingRates analyzed the 50 largest cities in the United States by population. Key factors sourced included the median household income, average rent cost and average expenditure cost for households with one person. Using each expenditure cost along with the median household income, the percentage of gross income spent on each expenditure — including rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation — was calculated.

• Rent eats up over 90% of gross income in New York and Miami. Single and middle-class Americans can anticipate it eating up nearly 95% of their earnings in New York and 93% in Miami.
• Over 50% of gross income goes toward rent in 15 major cities. These metros include New York (94.9%), Miami (93.3%), Los Angeles (70.7%), Boston (63.1%), San Jose, California (62.8%), Detroit (59.7%), El Paso, Texas (58.2%), Bakersfield, California (57.6%), Fresno, California (56.6%), San Diego (56.2%), Philadelphia (55.9%), Las Vegas (52.6%), Chicago (51.9%), San Francisco (51.7%) and Baltimore (51%).
• After paying for the cost of living, Americans are in the red in five cities. New York (-$17,719), Miami (-$13,348), Los Angeles (-$2,002), Detroit (-$4,854) and El Paso (-$312) have the highest negative balances.
• On the flip side, Washington, D.C., and Seattle are the most net positive for leftover savings. Single middle-class Americans have $33,578 left in Washington and $31,126 in Seattle, even though rent accounts for 37% of gross income in each metro. 

Here’s what the cost of living in 50 major cities looks like for single middle-class Americans, ranked according to the highest percentage of income spent on rent. Also, check out the nation’s 50 wealthiest suburbs.

• Median income for one-person household: $46,867
• Total cost of living annually: $64,586
  • Rent (% of gross income): 94.9%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.7%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 11%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 9.5%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 13.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: -$17,719

• Median income for one-person household: $37,945
• Total cost of living annually: $51,293
  • Rent (% of gross income): 93.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 9.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 11%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 13.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: -$13,348

• Median income for one-person household: $47,395
• Total cost of living annually: $49,397
  • Rent (% of gross income): 70.7%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.7%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 12.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: -$2,002

• Median income for one-person household: $65,250
• Total cost of living annually: $56,838
  • Rent (% of gross income): 63.1%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.5%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.3%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.2%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $8,412

• Median income for one-person household: $62,230
• Total cost of living annually: $55,609
  • Rent (% of gross income): 62.8%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.4%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 4.6%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $6,621

• Median income for one-person household: $26,177
• Total cost of living annually: $31,031
  • Rent (% of gross income): 59.7%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 11.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 12.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 10.1%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 24.3%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: -$4,854

• Median income for one-person household: $30,885
• Total cost of living annually: $31,197
  • Rent (% of gross income): 58.2%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 10.4%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 12.5%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 9.3%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 10.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: -$312

• Median income for one-person household: $41,020
• Total cost of living annually: $37,736
  • Rent (% of gross income): 57.6%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $3,284

• Median income for one-person household: $41,123
• Total cost of living annually: $37,435
  • Rent (% of gross income): 56.6%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.1%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 8.1%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $3,688

• Median income for one-person household: $63,131
• Total cost of living annually: $50,170
  • Rent (% of gross income): 56.2%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.1%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.7%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 4.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,961

• Median income for one-person household: $36,544
• Total cost of living annually: $36,359
  • Rent (% of gross income): 55.9%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 9.8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 11.2%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 8.7%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 13.82%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $185

• Median income for one-person household: $38,781
• Total cost of living annually: $35,323
  • Rent (% of gross income): 52.6%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 9.2%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.7%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 11.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $3,458

• Median income for one-person household: $50,286
• Total cost of living annually: $40,680
  • Rent (% of gross income): 51.9%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,606

• Median income for one-person household: $85,336
• Total cost of living annually: $61,360
  • Rent (% of gross income): 51.7%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 4.8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.4%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 3.4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $23,976

• Median income for one-person household: $40,804
• Total cost of living annually: $35,248
  • Rent (% of gross income): 51%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.3%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 10.9%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $5,556

• Median income for one-person household: $60,250
• Total cost of living annually: $45,224
  • Rent (% of gross income): 49%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.5%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.8%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 4.4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,026

• Median income for one-person household: $48,590
• Total cost of living annually: $38,296
  • Rent (% of gross income): 48.9%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.6%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.3%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.2%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $10,294

• Median income for one-person household: $57,618
• Total cost of living annually: $42,696
  • Rent (% of gross income): 47.1%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.2%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.1%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $14,922

• Median income for one-person household: $37,405
• Total cost of living annually: $30,422
  • Rent (% of gross income): 46.2%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.2%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.2%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $6,983

• Median income for one-person household: $52,949
• Total cost of living annually: $38,072
  • Rent (% of gross income): 45.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.6%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 8%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $14,877

• Median income for one-person household: $43,033
• Total cost of living annually: $33,638
  • Rent (% of gross income): 44.6%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.3%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.9%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,395

• Median income for one-person household: $42,222
• Total cost of living annually: $32,966
  • Rent (% of gross income): 44.6%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.2%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.5%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.2%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,256

• Median income for one-person household: $43,050
• Total cost of living annually: $33,195
  • Rent (% of gross income): 44.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.9%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,855

• Median income for one-person household: $43,401
• Total cost of living annually: $33,413
  • Rent (% of gross income): 43.7%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.2%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,988

• Median income for one-person household: $34,186
• Total cost of living annually: $28,206
  • Rent (% of gross income): 43.4%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 9.5%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 11.4%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 8.3%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $5,980

• Median income for one-person household: $36,989
• Total cost of living annually: $29,674
  • Rent (% of gross income): 43.4%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 9.2%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.3%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.9%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $7,315

• Median income for one-person household: $38,795
• Total cost of living annually: $30,436
  • Rent (% of gross income): 43.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.7%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.7%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.1%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $8,359

• Median income for one-person household: $57,254
• Total cost of living annually: $39,687
  • Rent (% of gross income): 43%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.4%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.3%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.1%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.5%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,567

• Median income for one-person household: $48,364
• Total cost of living annually: $34,887
  • Rent (% of gross income): 42.7%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.5%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.5%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 4.9%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $13,477

• Median income for one-person household: $50,530
• Total cost of living annually: $35,452
  • Rent (% of gross income): 42.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.1%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.9%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.1%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,078

• Median income for one-person household: $42,068
• Total cost of living annually: $30,297
  • Rent (% of gross income): 42%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $11,771

• Median income for one-person household: $50,558
• Total cost of living annually: $34,305
  • Rent (% of gross income): 41.4%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $16,253

• Median income for one-person household: $39,476
• Total cost of living annually: $29,584
  • Rent (% of gross income): 41.1%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.1%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.8%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.1%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,892

• Median income for one-person household: $37,061
• Total cost of living annually: $28,688
  • Rent (% of gross income): 41%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 11.2%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.6%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.62%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $8,373

• Median income for one-person household: $38,707
• Total cost of living annually: $29,422
  • Rent (% of gross income): 40.8%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.7%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 7.7%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,285

• Median income for one-person household: $45,421
• Total cost of living annually: $32,844
  • Rent (% of gross income): 40.8%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.6%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.4%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.3%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 9.3%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,577

• Median income for one-person household: $50,936
• Total cost of living annually: $32,970
  • Rent (% of gross income): 39.5%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.5%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.7%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,966

• Median income for one-person household: $52,649
• Total cost of living annually: $34,382
  • Rent (% of gross income): 39.4%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.6%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.3%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.5%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.6%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $18,267

• Median income for one-person household: $42,771
• Total cost of living annually: $30,536
  • Rent (% of gross income): 39.2%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.8%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,235

• Median income for one-person household: $59,595
• Total cost of living annually: $37,590
  • Rent (% of gross income): 38.2%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 5.8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.7%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.1%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.3%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $22,005

• Median income for one-person household: $43,493
• Total cost of living annually:  $29,560
  • Rent (% of gross income): 37.6%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.5%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.3%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.1%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $13,933

• Median income for one-person household: $46,040
• Total cost of living annually: $30,526
  • Rent (% of gross income): 37.5%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 7.5%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.8%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.5%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 7%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,514

• Median income for one-person household: $50,430
• Total cost of living annually: $33,141
  • Rent (% of gross income): 37.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.4%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.3%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,289

• Median income for one-person households: $78,400
• Total cost of living annually: $44,822
  • Rent (% of gross income): 37.1%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 5.1%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 4.9%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 4%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.1%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $33,578

• Median income for one-person household: $72,012
• Total cost of living annually: $40,886
  • Rent (% of gross income): 37%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 5.3%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 4.9%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 2.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $31,126

• Median income for one-person household: $60,252
• Total cost of living annually: $36,165
  • Rent (% of gross income): 36.9%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 5.9%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 4.7%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.9%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $24,087

• Median income for one-person household: $52,176
• Total cost of living annually: $33,442
  • Rent (% of gross income): 36.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.6%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.7%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $18,734

• Median income for one-person household: $41,256
• Total cost of living annually: $28,791
  • Rent (% of gross income): 36.2%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 8%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.4%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 6.9%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 8.2%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,465

• Median income for one-person household: $55,456
• Total cost of living annually: $32,375
  • Rent (% of gross income): 34.2%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 6.3%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.9%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 5.3%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 5.7%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $23,081

• Median income for one-person household: $61,510
• Total cost of living annually: $32,952
  • Rent (% of gross income): 30.3%
  • Groceries (% of gross income): 5.5%
  • Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.6%
  • Utilities (% of gross income): 4.8%
  • Transportation (% of gross income): 6.4%
• Leftover savings after cost of living: $28,558

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Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the largest 50 cities by population, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey. This included median household income for households with one person. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces. Using the average expenditure cost for households with one person, the average expenditure cost for each city was calculated. The average rental cost was sourced from Zillow Observed Rental Index. Using the average rent and expenditure cost, the total cost of living was calculated. Using each expenditure cost along with the median household income, the percentage of gross income spent on each expenditure was calculated. The cities were sorted to show the largest percentage spent on rent costs. All data is up to date as of Dec. 23, 2025.