The City in Every State Where Your Paycheck Shrinks the Fastest

Making ends meet in the U.S. has become a terribly tough feat, and many Americans are struggling to get by, with many — including those making six figures — living paycheck to paycheck. 

Making that essential paycheck stretch to the max is critical, and location plays a major role. Here are the cities where your precious paycheck shrinks the fastest, listed in alphabetical order by state.

• Annual cost of living: $52,005 
• Median income: $55,509

Since the cost of living in Auburn is lower than the national average, your paycheck could fare well here.

• Annual cost of living: $52,312
• Median income: $69,914

Those in Fairbanks can see their paycheck stretch far given that they’re making more than the required to cover average cost of living expenses. 

• Annual cost of living: $69,271
• Median income: $65,652

The cost of living in Flagstaff is markedly higher than the national average. Your paycheck could need to work overtime here. 

• Annual cost of living: $46,972
• Median income: $56,881

People living in Fayetteville could see their paycheck go a long way, given that the state has lower than the national average cost of living, and the median income is above those annual costs.

• Annual cost of living: $427,021
• Median income: $116,771 

Unsurprisingly, that famous 90210 ZIP code is attached to an extravagantly high cost of living. The average paycheck meets a quick dead end here. 

• Annual cost of living: $107,527
• Median income: $80,243 

Unfortunately, those in Boulder are making far less than what the city’s average cost of living expenses demand.

• Annual cost of living: $100,718 
• Median income: $86,591

In the city of Stamford, many residents may not be able to live comfortably, as the annual cost of living is substantially higher than the median income. 

• Annual cost of living: $47,396
• Median income: $54,731

In Wilmington, you can just get by, as the median income is only a bit above the annual cost of living.

• Annual cost of living: $80,722
• Median income: $101,722

Fortunately, DC residents can come out on top in this expensive city, as their paychecks, on average, exceed what is necessary to get by.

• Annual cost of living: $192,431 
• Median income: $65,116

The annual cost of living in the desirable city of Miami Beach far exceeds the median income. This could dampen the appeal for those on a budget, including retirees.  

• Annual cost of living: $80,118 
• Median income: $93,303 

Residents of Sandy Springs won’t have much, if any, money left after taxes. 

• Annual cost of living: $120,521
• Median income: $82,772

Hawaii is an extravagantly pricey location — the most expensive in the country. You’d better be really raking it in to get by here, earning well above the median income.

• Annual cost of living: $51,114
• Median income: $46,286

In Rexburg, the average paycheck doesn’t come close to keeping up with the annual cost of living.

• Annual cost of living: $39,382 
• Median income: $47,410

Residents of DeKalb will see their earnings keep up somewhat on par with the cost of living, though they’ll still owe taxes if making the median amount.  

• Annual cost of living: $45,346 
• Median income: $30,317

Those living in this city will find themselves down and out if they’re pulling in the median income, which doesn’t even touch the cost of living.  

• Annual cost of living: $46,942
• Median income: $54,879

Residents of Iowa City will come close to breaking even when it comes to their paycheck and their cost of living 

• Annual cost of living: $42,763
• Median income: $55,316

In Manhattan, folks are making enough to square just about even with the city’s cost of living expenses. 

• Annual cost of living: $42,360
• Median income: $47,118

Your paycheck won’t stretch far in Bowling Green, although the city boasts a lower cost of living than average for the U.S.

• Annual cost of living: $33,995
• Median income: $36,550

And here we have another example of a city where the paycheck just can’t keep up with the cost of living once you take taxes into account.

• Annual cost of living: $62,851
• Median income: $71,498

The cost of living in Portland is steep when compared to other U.S. cities, and it’s a shame that residents aren’t making more to cover basic living expenses.

• Annual cost of living: $40,763
• Median income: $48,481

Here, city residents are making almost enough to get by OK, but not quite

• Annual cost of living: $174,268
• Median income: $130,600

Those living in this expensive city may want to rethink things. In Brookline, you could end up in a landslide of debt if making an average salary.

• Annual cost of living: $41,778
• Median income: $44,094

Unfortunately, even in the quaint city of East Lansing, you’ll find your paycheck stretched thin 

• Annual cost of living: $39,636
• Median income: $58,910 

If you relocate to St. Cloud, you could enjoy quite a nice payday that would more than cover your living expenses.

• Annual cost of living: $36,078 
• Median income: $41,024

When it comes to breaking even in Hattiesburg, it’s close but no cigar; residents are struggling to make an average paycheck stretch.

• Annual cost of living: $38,569
• Median income: $43,450

Once again we see a city where even a median income won’t last you long.

• Annual cost of living: $80,746 
• Median income: $74,113

You’ll be struggling to get by if you make the average income in Bozeman, where the cost of living is so high. 

• Annual cost of living: $48,857
• Median income: $66,843

You won’t fare too poorly in Kearney, where the average paycheck outperforms the average cost of living.

• Annual cost of living: $62,143
• Median income: $73,073

Fortunately, the median income in Reno is higher than the annual cost of living in the city, but not once after you factor in those pesky taxes. 

• Annual cost of living: $55,101
• Median income: $74,040

Even with the tax burden, you won’t fare too badly in this city, but still, your paycheck could be a lot more flexible in another city.

• Annual cost of living: $74,911
• Median income: $54,826

The living isn’t easy in Lakewood, New Jersey, where the paycheck stretches not at all.

• Annual cost of living: $64,740
• Median income: $67,663

The cost of living in Santa Fe far outweighs the median income, making this a very difficult city to coast in

• Annual cost of living: $87,242
• Median income: $50,749

If you want your average paycheck to do some legwork for you, don’t move to Spring Valley. You could rapidly go broke. 

• Annual cost of living: $58,964 
• Median income: $63,810 

Asheville is a beautiful city, but is it worth going into debt over? The average dollar stretches not far at all here.

• Annual cost of living: $42,746 
• Median income: $59,079 

Your paycheck will fare far better here than in most other cities on this list.

• Annual cost of living: $37,933
• Median income: $41,346

And here we are again: a lush city that is simply inhospitable for those making an average income.

• Annual cost of living: $41,749
• Median income: $39,998

Here ye, retirees and other folks on a budget. You’ll be getting down to, or possibly below, the wire in Stillwater. 

• Annual cost of living: $77,330
• Median income: $82,671

In the affluent city of Bend, not even a hefty median income of nearly $83,000 goes far enough.

• Annual cost of living: $54,149 
• Median income: $43,459

Yet again, this is an example of a city where an average income stalls out fast.

• Annual cost of living: $49,693 
• Median income: $54,398

The expensive state of Rhode Island is filled with expensive cities, and Woonsocket is no exception. Average earners will face a tough time here. 

• Annual cost of living: $93,781 
• Median income: $93,964

Even before factoring in the significant tax burden, the average paycheck in this city just doesn’t cut it.

• Annual cost of living: $49,411 
• Median income: $62,784

Residents of Rapid City are stretching it thin, financially, but they are in far better shape than the residents belonging to most other cities on this list.

• Annual cost of living: $47,762
• Median income: $48,309

Living in Knoxville may not be a reasonable strategy if you live on a tight budget. 

• Annual cost of living: $48,473 
• Median income: $47,395

The same goes for San Marcos, where the cost of living exceeds the median income. 

• Annual cost of living: $58,453
• Median income: $57,943 

Unfortunately, in this relatively expensive city, a roughly $58k salary won’t get you far.

• Annual cost of living: $67,491  
• Median income: $63,931

Vermont is an expensive state, and we see that exemplified in Burlington, where the cost of living is steep.

• Annual cost of living: $52,220 
• Median income: $42,012

If you’re getting by on $42,000 a year, you’d best not live in Blacksburg, where the cost of living far exceeds that price. 

• Annual cost of living: $133,452 
• Median income: $149,551

In the affluent city of Bellevue, you stand to make a hefty income, from a national perspective, but is it enough to cut it in this town of high rollers?

• Annual cost of living: $44,021 
• Median income: $41,103  

An annual income of $44,021 is below the national average — and it won’t go far at all in Morgantown.

• Annual cost of living: $42,827
• Median income: $51,836

And yet again, in La Crosse, you’ll be struggling to get by on an average income.

• Annual cost of living: $52,396
• Median income: $50,539

If you’re making a cool $50,000 and change a year, look for another city to lead your life in. Laramie is just too expensive.