How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities (2024)

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How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities (2)

Wondering, “What can I afford with $50,000 a year?” We’ve taken a closer look at the basic expenses of 30 American cities to see where you’d be able to live comfortably on a fairly average yearly salary.

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How Far a 50k Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities Transcript

The Average Costs of Necessary Expenses Vs. Minimum Wage and Average Income in the Most Populated Cities of the US

CityLouisville, KYBaltimore, MDLas Vegas, NVOklahoma City, OKPortland, ORNashville, TNBoston, MAMemphis, TNWashington, D.C.
Food$2986$2986$3564$2986$3564$2986$3467$2986$2986
Medical$2298$2507$2242$2195$2030$2237$2688$2237$2506
Housing$6565$10836$7560$6762$11352$8231$13333$7504$17078
Transportation$4236$4236$3860$4236$3860$4236$3609$4236$4236
Other$2656$2656$2803$2656$2803$2656$2656$2656$2656
Annual Income Taxes$3496$4406$2794$3367$4975$2838$3593$2737$5700
Total income needed$22237$27627$22823$22202$28584$23186$29346$22356$35162
Minimum Wage Salary$15080 ($7.25/hr)$19240 ($9.25/hr)$17,160 ($8.25/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$21320 ($10.25/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$22,880 ($11/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$26,000 ($12.50/hr)
Living Wage Salary $22235 ($10.69/hr)$27622 ($13.28/hr)$22817

($10.97/hr)

$22193 ($10.67/hr)$28579 ($13.74/hr)$23192 ($11.15/hr)$29348 ($14.11/hr)$22360 ($10.75/hr)$35152 ($16.90/hr)
Average Salary$48821$56177$47968$47965$55438$51263$70983$47264$71007
Detroit, MIEl Paso, TXDenver, COSeattle, WACharlotte, NCFort Worth, TXColumbus, OHIndianapolis, INSan Fransisco, CA
Food$3050$2986$3564$3564$2986$2986$3050$3050$3564
Medical$2243$2203$2395$1984$2195$2203$2361$2297$2150
Housing$6961$6553$10128$12226$8190$8179$6924$7035$19566
Transportation$4173$4236$3860$3860$4236$4236$4173$4173$3860
Other$2877$2656$2803$2803$2656$2656$2877$2877$2803
Annual Income Taxes$3506$2599$4186$3409$3961$2826$2965$3337$4999
Total income needed$22810$21233$26937$27846$24224$23086$22350$22769$36942
Minimum Wage Salary$19240 ($9.25/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$21216 ($10.20/hr)$23920 ($11.50/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$17,264 ($8.30/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$22,880 ($11/hr)
Living Wage Salary$22817 ($10.97/hr)$21236 ($10.21/hr)$26936 ($12.95/hr)$27851 ($13.39/hr)$24232 ($11.65/hr)$23088.00 ($11.10/hr)$22360 ($10.75/hr)$22776 ($10.95/hr)$36941($17.76/hr)
Average Salary$58,931$40539$60550$69154$54,707$50,882$51,612$51,256$85,917
Jacksonville, FLAustin, TXSan Jose, CADallas, TXSan Diego, CASan Antonio, TXPhoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PAHouston, TX
Food$2986$2986$3564$2986$3564$2986$3564$3467$2986
Medical$2583$2203$2150$2203$2150$2203$2291$2349$2203
Housing$7372$9588$17909$8179$14544$7426$7488$10140$8446
Transportation$4236$4236$3860$4236$3860$4236$3860$3609$4236
Other$2656$2656$2803$2656$2803$2656$2803$2656$2656
Annual Income Taxes$2767$3023$4768$2826$4299$2721$3338$3100$2864
Total income needed$22600$24692$35054$23086$31220$22228$23,343$25321$23390
Minimum Wage Salary$17,160 ($8.25/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$22,880 ($11/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$22,880 ($11/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$21840 ($10.50/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)$15080 ($7.25/hr)
Living Wage Salary$22609 ($10.87/hr)$24689 ($11.87/hr)$35048 ($16.85/hr)$23088.00 ($11.10/hr)$31220 ($15.01/hr)$22235 ($10.69/hr)$23337 ($11.22/hr)$25313 ($12.17/hr)$23400 ($11.25/hr)
Average Salary$47035$58567$84225$60015$60992$53855$5300$59827$59581
Chicago, ILLos Angeles, CANewYork, NY
Food$3050$3564$3467
Medical$2501$2150$2367
Housing$10487$12623$14,542
Transportation$4173$3860$3609
Other$2877$2803$2656
Annual Income Taxes$4049$4031$5004
Total income needed2713729031$31645
Minimum Wage Salary$17160 ($8.25/hr)$22880 ($11/hr)$21632 ($10.40/hr)
Living Wage Salary$29036 ($13.96/hr)$29036 ($13.96/hr)$31636 ($15.21/hr)
Average Salary$62746$62564$68992

Sources:

Is $50K a Good Salary?

Let’s look at the facts: In the United States, the median household income is $57,617, which often includes multiple household members’ incomes as well as side gigs. Considering that 47% of the country makes less than $50,000 per household, you’re already in the upper crust. And that’s for household data! The median personal income in the U.S. is quite different, about $31,099. So if you’re asking, “Is $50,000 a year a good salary?” in comparison to other Americans, the answer is yes. If you’re asking, “Is $50,000 a good salary?” because you want to know if it’s a reasonable wage to live off of comfortably, that answer is a bit more complicated.

What Can I Afford With $50,000 a Year?

The answer depends on where you live. For the top 30 most populated cities in the U.S., you need between $20K and $35K a year to cover basic expenses, including food, medical costs, housing, transportation, taxes, and other expenses. This is according to MIT’s Living Wage Index, which calculates what a fair wage would look like in various American cities. In many places, there’s a massive gap between the minimum wage and living wage. For those who want a slightly more affluent lifestyle — a nicer apartment, brunches on weekends — expect to need a cushion of $5K to $10K more per year.

How Much Rent Can I Afford on a $50K Salary?

Housing costs vary an extreme amount based on your location. If you’re asking, “How much house can I afford?” a $50,000 salary may only be able to get you a closet in San Francisco. The rule of thumb for rent is that many people can afford a $1,250 apartment with a $50K salary, but it can’t go far above that. If you specifically want to know, “What house can I afford on $50K a year?” it depends on your down payment, but the price generally would be somewhere around $200K. Getting something in that price range in Manhattan could be pretty difficult! We took a look at how much house $500K gets you in different cities previously, and those results may be a bit disheartening.

Contents

    How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities (2024)

    FAQs

    Can you live off a 50K salary? ›

    For many people, $50,000 is enough income to live comfortably, although your location and lifestyle are important factors. In coastal cities, that money doesn't go as far, but there are certainly households in New York City that live on one or two Social Security incomes amounting to less than $50,000.

    Is 50K a respectable salary? ›

    A $50,000 annual salary is above the U.S. national average salary of $48,672 but below the median household income of $68,703. Remember that even if you currently earn $50k per year, you may be able to increase your earnings by taking on more responsibility within your company.

    Where can you live on 50K a year? ›

    Best Places To Live On a $50,000 Salary in Every State
    • Burlington, Vermont. Median income: $50,324. ...
    • Fairbanks, Alaska. Median income: $61,665. ...
    • New Britain, Connecticut. Median income: $45,258. ...
    • Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Median income: $46,938. ...
    • Sanford, Maine. ...
    • Baltimore. ...
    • Dover, Delaware. ...
    • Grand Junction, Colorado.
    Oct 9, 2020

    What does a $50,000 salary look like? ›

    A gross salary of $50,000 equates to approximately $4,166.93 in gross pay per month. To calculate this figure, we assume a standard work week of 40 hours and a typical year of 52 weeks spread across 12 months.

    Can I afford a 300k house on a 50K salary? ›

    A person who makes $50,000 a year might be able to afford a house worth anywhere from $180,000 to nearly $300,000. That's because your annual salary isn't the only variable that determines your home buying budget. You also have to consider your credit score, current debts, mortgage rates, and many other factors.

    Can I afford a 300k house on a 60k salary? ›

    An individual earning $60,000 a year may buy a home worth ranging from $180,000 to over $300,000. That's because your wage isn't the only factor that affects your house purchase budget. Your credit score, existing debts, mortgage rates, and a variety of other considerations must all be taken into account.

    Is 50k a year middle class? ›

    By the Census data, it means that if you earn between $50,000 and $150,000 a year, you are considered middle class. It's a pretty straightforward answer, but it isn't particularly helpful if you're trying to climb up out of a lower income bracket into the middle class.

    How many Americans make over 50k? ›

    Percentage distribution of household income in the United States in 2022
    Annual household income in U.S. dollarsPercentage of U.S. households
    25,000 to 34,9997.6%
    35,000 to 49,99910.6%
    50,000 to 74,99916.2%
    75,000 to 99,99912.3%
    5 more rows
    May 22, 2024

    How much is 50k a year hourly? ›

    $50,000 a year is how much an hour? If you make $50,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $24.04.

    What is the average American salary? ›

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the average U.S. annual salary in Q4 of 2023 was $59,384. This is up 5.4% from the same time period in 2022 when the average American was making $56,316 per year. Average weekly earnings reached $1,142, while the average American made $4,949 per month in Q4 of 2023.

    How much is $30 an hour annually? ›

    $30 an hour is how much a year? If you make $30 an hour, your yearly salary would be $62,400.

    How much is $25 an hour annually? ›

    Frequently Asked Questions. $25 an hour is how much a year? If you make $25 an hour, your yearly salary would be $52,000.

    Am I poor if I make 50K a year? ›

    Is $50K a Good Salary? Let's look at the facts: In the United States, the median household income is $57,617, which often includes multiple household members' incomes as well as side gigs. Considering that 47% of the country makes less than $50,000 per household, you're already in the upper crust.

    How much can I afford with a 50K salary? ›

    The rule of 2.5 times your income stipulates that you shouldn't purchase a house that costs more than two and a half times your annual income. So, if you have a $50,000 annual salary, you should be able to afford a $125,000 home. Explore what your mortgage payment might be with today's rates.

    Is 50K a year middle class for a single person? ›

    By the Census data, it means that if you earn between $50,000 and $150,000 a year, you are considered middle class. It's a pretty straightforward answer, but it isn't particularly helpful if you're trying to climb up out of a lower income bracket into the middle class.

    How much is a 50K salary hourly? ›

    $50,000 a year is how much an hour? If you make $50,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $24.04.

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