What Is a Good Salary in Every Major U.S. City in 2026?

A $100,000 salary can feel very different depending on where you live. In 2026, housing, transportation, food, healthcare and taxes can create large differences in how far the same paycheck goes from one U.S. city to another.

So what is a good salary in 2026? There is no single number that works for everyone. A salary that provides financial breathing room in one city may feel much tighter in another.

For a useful benchmark, we looked at 2026 salary estimates for major U.S. cities and compared them with local household incomes. The analysis focuses on a single adult with no children, making the figures easier to compare across locations.

What Is Considered a Good Salary in 2026?

For this analysis, a “good salary” means an income that goes beyond simply covering basic expenses and leaves room for discretionary spending, saving and unexpected costs.

That distinction matters. The MIT Living Wage Calculator defines a living wage around the minimum income required to cover basic needs. Its 2026 methodology considers expenses including food, housing, healthcare, transportation, internet and mobile service, other necessities and taxes.

A separate 2026 analysis by SmartAsset uses those living-cost estimates and applies a 50/30/20 budgeting framework: 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings or debt payments. Its study covers 100 of the largest U.S. cities.

Good Salary in Major U.S. Cities in 2026

The 2026 benchmark varies substantially across major cities. High-cost markets on the West Coast and Northeast require significantly higher incomes than many cities in the South and Midwest.

Source: SmartAsset 2026 salary study, using MIT Living Wage Calculator data and 2024 U.S. Census Bureau income data. The figures represent a single adult with no children.

Where Does a Good Salary Need to Be the Highest?

New York has one of the highest salary thresholds among major U.S. cities. The 2026 estimate for a single adult is $158,954. San Jose follows closely at $158,080.

Several Southern California cities also require six-figure incomes well above $150,000. Irvine, Anaheim and Santa Ana have an estimated threshold of $151,965 for a single adult.

Boston comes next at $139,776, while San Diego and San Francisco require approximately $136,781 and $134,950, respectively.

These differences illustrate why looking only at nominal salary can be misleading. A $100,000 paycheck does not buy the same amount of housing and everyday spending power in New York or San Jose as it does in a lower-cost market.

Where Can $100,000 Be a Good Salary?

A six-figure salary remains an important income milestone, but its purchasing power depends heavily on location.

In cities where the estimated comfortable-income threshold is below $100,000, a $100,000 salary sits above that benchmark. San Antonio, for example, has an estimated threshold of $83,242. New Orleans is at $84,406, while Memphis is at $86,320.

In higher-cost cities, the picture changes. New York’s estimated threshold is almost $159,000, meaning that $100,000 is substantially below the benchmark used in this analysis.

Is $150,000 a Good Salary in 2026?

In many U.S. cities, $150,000 represents a high individual income. But location still matters.

In San Antonio, New Orleans, Memphis and Oklahoma City, $150,000 is well above the 2026 salary thresholds shown in the study. In New York and San Jose, however, the estimated thresholds are above $158,000.

This is why the question “Is $150,000 a good salary?” cannot be answered without considering where the money is earned and spent.

Why Housing Matters So Much

Housing is one of the biggest reasons salary requirements vary across the country. MIT’s 2026 methodology incorporates geographically specific housing costs along with food, healthcare, transportation, broadband and other basic expenses.

That local approach is important because national averages can hide large differences between individual markets.

Good Salary vs. Median Household Income

The table also compares salary benchmarks with median household income. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey reports median household income in inflation-adjusted dollars, but household income and individual salary are not the same measure.

A household can include multiple earners, while the salary benchmark discussed here describes the income needed by one adult. The comparison is therefore useful as context rather than as a direct measure of whether an individual worker earns “above” or “below” the local standard.

How We Interpret the Numbers

There is no official government definition of a “good salary.” The figures above should therefore be treated as benchmarks rather than financial advice.

Your own target salary can be higher or lower depending on rent or homeownership, debt, transportation, health insurance, retirement contributions, family size and lifestyle.

The most important takeaway is simple: salary alone does not tell you how financially comfortable you will be. Location determines how much of that salary goes toward the cost of everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good salary in the U.S. in 2026?

There is no single national figure. A good salary depends on local housing costs, taxes, transportation, healthcare, food and personal financial goals. In major cities, 2026 salary benchmarks for a single adult range from the low-$80,000s to nearly $160,000 in the highest-cost markets.

Is $100,000 a good salary in 2026?

In many U.S. cities, $100,000 can provide substantial income above basic living costs. In the country’s highest-cost cities, however, the same salary can provide considerably less financial flexibility.

Is $150,000 a good salary?

$150,000 is above the estimated comfortable-income threshold in many major cities, but some high-cost markets have thresholds near or above that level.

What is a good salary in New York City?

A 2026 benchmark cited by SmartAsset puts the salary needed for a single adult in New York at approximately $158,954. Individual circumstances can vary substantially depending on housing and other expenses.

What is a good salary in San Francisco?

The 2026 benchmark is approximately $134,950 for a single adult. Housing costs are an important reason the threshold is substantially higher than in many U.S. cities.

Sources and Methodology

This article uses 2026 cost-of-living and salary benchmarks from the MIT Living Wage Calculator and SmartAsset’s 2026 city analysis, along with U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey income data.

MIT’s 2026 methodology incorporates geographically specific estimates for food, childcare, healthcare, housing, transportation, broadband, other necessities and taxes. SmartAsset then applies a 50/30/20 framework to estimate the annual income needed for a more comfortable budget.

Median household income figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The Census Bureau identifies B19013 as its median household income measure, reported in inflation-adjusted dollars.

Important: A “good salary” is not an official economic measure. These estimates are intended as a comparison tool and should not be interpreted as personalized financial advice.

Last updated: October 2026.