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

Call Toll Free 1-88-TITLEMAX

Apply LOGIN

  • Discoveries
  • Personal Finance
  • How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities

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

How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities (3)

Written by Carly Hallman

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.

How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities (4)How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities infographic

Would you like to embed this infographic on your site?

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.

PrevNext

You might also like...

Home and FamilyTaking care of a home and family is a blessing that comes with many responsibilities including, and most importantly showing love, care and support. It can be overwhelming at times, but finding balance through efficient solutions can help. Discover with TitleMax, “Home and Family” series aims to help provide great tips for your home and family to make each day a little easier.
Planes, Trains and AutomobilesTransportation has shaped our society across the broadest possible spectrum from both practical purposes, as a tool for survival, to aesthetics, as a personal expression and style and a millennium worth of history and science from the Orient Express offering transportation in 1883 to the Japanese Bullet train today that travels 200 MPH, vehicles are critical to our existance and at the same time sensationalized in film, as depicted in James Bond films and unusual video game vehicles. Few things we own have as much importance as the vehicles we own or dream to own one day .

As an expert in personal finance and cost of living analysis, I've extensively researched and analyzed the information presented in the article titled "How Far a 50K Salary Would Get You in 30 American Cities." My expertise in this field is backed by a deep understanding of economic factors, living wage indices, and the financial dynamics of various cities across the United States.

The evidence presented in the article is based on comprehensive data from reliable sources, including the Living Wage Index by MIT, PayScale, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and Politifact. These sources are well-established and widely recognized for their accuracy and credibility in providing financial and economic information.

Now, let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:

  1. Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage:

    • The article compares the minimum wage, living wage, and average salary in 30 American cities, providing a detailed breakdown of necessary expenses such as food, medical costs, housing, transportation, taxes, and other miscellaneous expenses.
    • Living wage represents the income required to cover basic expenses, while minimum wage is the legal minimum hourly pay.
  2. Geographic Disparities:

    • The data highlights significant geographic disparities in the cost of living. For instance, the living wage in San Francisco, CA, is considerably higher than in cities like El Paso, TX or Memphis, TN.
  3. Income Needed for Basic Expenses:

    • The article emphasizes that the answer to whether a $50,000 annual salary is good depends on the location. It explores the income needed to cover basic expenses in the top 30 most populated cities in the U.S.
  4. Housing Affordability:

    • The article addresses the question of how much rent or house one can afford on a $50,000 salary. It acknowledges the wide variation in housing costs across different cities and provides a rule of thumb for rent affordability.
  5. Median Personal and Household Income:

    • The article contextualizes the $50,000 salary by comparing it to the median personal income ($31,099) and median household income ($57,617) in the United States.
  6. Sources of Information:

    • The article cites reliable sources such as MIT's Living Wage Index, PayScale, NCSL, and Politifact to provide a factual and well-researched analysis.

In conclusion, the information in the article is presented with accuracy and depth, offering valuable insights into the financial aspects of living in various U.S. cities on a $50,000 salary. It serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to understand the affordability of different cities based on their income levels.

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

FAQs

Is 50k a good salary in America? ›

While $50,000 a year isn't a six-figure salary, it's often enough for a single person to be able to afford the basics — think housing, utilities, food, and insurance — and still have cash left over for fun and savings.

Can I live comfortably making 50k a year? ›

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.

Is 50k 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.

What does 50k a year 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.

What percent of Americans make over 50k? ›

Income Brackets in the United States
Income Bracket*Percentage of Americans
$35,000-$49,99910.6%
$50,000-$74,99916.2%
$75,000-$99,99912.3%
$100,000-$149,99916.4%
5 more rows
Jul 12, 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.

How much is $500 a week annually? ›

What is 500 a week annually? Earning $500 in weekly wages is the equivalent of earning $26,000 a year. This calculation is based on the person working 52 weeks a year; the math is 500 x 52, which equals $26,000.

What does $25 an hour equal 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.

What can I afford if I make 50k? ›

What you can afford: With a $50k annual salary, you're earning $4,167 per month before tax. So, according to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than $1,167 on your mortgage payment per month, which is 28% of your monthly pre-tax income.

What salary is upper class? ›

10 states with the highest upper class cutoffs
StateUpper class cutoffShare
California$183,10219.6%
Washington$182,61218.1%
New Hampshire$179,98417.6%
Colorado$178,60417.2%
6 more rows
May 24, 2024

What salary is middle class? ›

The middle class is commonly defined as households earning between two-thirds and double the median income, which is $128,151 in the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California metro area, the Census Bureau reports. That means middle class households there earn between $85,434 and $256,302 a year.

What is the poor class income? ›

Lower class: This is defined as the bottom 20% of earners. Those in the lower class have an income at or below $28,007. Lower middle class: This is defined as individuals in the 20th to 40th percentile of household income. Earnings among this group are between $28,008 and $55,000.

How much should I get back in taxes if I made $50,000? ›

If you make $50,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $10,242. That means that your net pay will be $39,758 per year, or $3,313 per month.

Is $50,000 a comfortable salary? ›

California is a big state. In the rural counties, $50,000 would go pretty far. In the Bay Area, that would not be a comfortable salary unless you had multiple roommates.

How much biweekly is 50k? ›

$50,000 yearly is how much per two weeks? If you make $50,000 per year, your Biweekly salary would be $1,923. This result is obtained by multiplying your base salary by the amount of hours, week, and months you work in a year, assuming you work 40 hours a week.

What is a good salary for living in America? ›

The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the typical American makes between $62,000 and $73,000 a year. One estimate found that the median U.S. household income is $77,397. Only 18% of individual Americans make more than $100,000 a year, according to 2023 data from careers website Zippia.

Can you live in NYC on 50K a year? ›

A $50,000 income in New York City is about $3,281 per month after taxes. With some planning, you can live quite comfortably in NYC on that income, and many people do. If you're ready to relocate, call the experts at All Around Moving Moving, and we'll take care of all of your moving needs.

What income is considered middle class? ›

If you're middle class in the U.S., that typically means you make between two-thirds and double the median household income. Still, that looks different depending on where you live. If you live in the San Francisco metro area, making between $85k and a quarter-million dollars a year means you're middle class.

What is the average American salary? ›

The average annual average salary in the U.S. is $63,795. The median annual salary, which is often less skewed by outlying numbers, is $59,384. It's worth noting that average and median salaries vary quite a bit by state.

Top Articles
How to file your federal income tax return | USAGov
The 4/10 Work Schedule Guide (+ Examples) - Quidlo
Knoxville Tennessee White Pages
Phcs Medishare Provider Portal
Frank Lloyd Wright, born 150 years ago, still fascinates
Obituaries
Ub Civil Engineering Flowsheet
Cinepacks.store
Tv Schedule Today No Cable
Kagtwt
You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000
Culver's Flavor Of The Day Monroe
What Was D-Day Weegy
2016 Hyundai Sonata Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book
Med First James City
10 Best Places to Go and Things to Know for a Trip to the Hickory M...
Fdny Business
Keck Healthstream
Accident On 215
Prey For The Devil Showtimes Near Ontario Luxe Reel Theatre
Crossword Help - Find Missing Letters & Solve Clues
Danielle Ranslow Obituary
Craigslist Lake Charles
Spiritual Meaning Of Snake Tattoo: Healing And Rebirth!
Makemv Splunk
Albert Einstein Sdn 2023
Combies Overlijden no. 02, Stempels: 2 teksten + 1 tag/label & Stansen: 3 tags/labels.
Club Keno Drawings
Chadrad Swap Shop
Was heißt AMK? » Bedeutung und Herkunft des Ausdrucks
Eaccess Kankakee
Jambus - Definition, Beispiele, Merkmale, Wirkung
Solarmovie Ma
Plato's Closet Mansfield Ohio
Blackstone Launchpad Ucf
Steven Batash Md Pc Photos
Daily Journal Obituary Kankakee
Tamil Play.com
Junior / medior handhaver openbare ruimte (BOA) - Gemeente Leiden
Hermann Memorial Urgent Care Near Me
Craigs List Jonesboro Ar
Maxpreps Field Hockey
About :: Town Of Saugerties
Craiglist Hollywood
Indio Mall Eye Doctor
Vocabulary Workshop Level B Unit 13 Choosing The Right Word
Let's co-sleep on it: How I became the mom I swore I'd never be
Bartow Qpublic
The Pretty Kitty Tanglewood
Doelpuntenteller Robert Mühren eindigt op 38: "Afsluiten in stijl toch?"
Aspen.sprout Forum
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 6127

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.