25 U.S. cities where a $100,000 a year isn't enough to get by anymore

Reaching the six-figure wage threshold whitethorn beryllium considered a fiscal triumph for galore Americans, but successful a galore large U.S. cities the erstwhile aspirational milestone conscionable doesn't chopped it anymore.

According to a LendingTree analysis which reveals that a household of 3 with a household income of $100,000 volition inactive conflict to get by successful 1 retired of 4 ample metro areas successful the United States. That whitethorn beryllium a stark realization for galore Americans, who proceed to face rising household expenses on everything from a twelve eggs to a container of coffee. The mean median household income successful past U.S. was $80,610 successful 2023, according to the astir caller estimation from the Census Bureau. 

"For generations of Americans, $100,000 has agelong been a magic number. It has been seen arsenic a level of yearly net that says: You've made it. You're successful," according to the report. "However, that has changed dramatically successful galore of the nation's biggest metros. In 25 of the 100 largest metros successful this country, a six-figure household income isn't capable to grip the basics."

In 25 of the 100 largest U.S. cities LendingTree looked astatine for its report, researchers recovered that monthly expenditures – which ranged from childcare, to wellness insurance, to nutrient – outweighed nett monthly income. That near a slew of ample metropolitan cities, among them Los Angeles, Boston, and New York, with antagonistic monthly income estimates.

In determining the metro areas wherever a $100,000 wage wouldn't agelong acold enough, LendingTree considered 8 antithetic spending categories a emblematic household of 3 mightiness look — specified arsenic two-bedroom flat and babe daycare — and past subtracted the full outgo from the $8,333 successful monthly income the household would beryllium earning connected a wage of $100,000. That a slew of ample metro areas, from Los Angeles to New York, with antagonistic monthly income estimates.

Not factored in, LendingTree said, were indebtedness payments.

The survey comes astatine a clip erstwhile consumer confidence has plunged to its lowest levels since the pandemic, arsenic Americans weather a play of economical uncertainty amid the Trump administration's tariff rollout. Americans expect semipermanent inflation to scope 4.4%, up from 4.1% past month. 

Read connected to spot however your metropolis ranked.

Where is it hardest to get by connected $100,000?

In San Jose, the bosom of California's pricey Silicon Valley, a household of 3 with household income of $100,000 a twelvemonth would find themselves much than $2,000 abbreviated each period aft covering basal expenses. Researchers accidental this is attributable to disproportionately precocious lodging and proscription costs. Trailing San Jose are San Francisco and Boston which are the 2nd and 3rd hardest places, respectively, to get by connected a $100,000 yearly salary.

Notably, the lion's stock of locations wherever household breadwinners making $100,000 mightiness inactive extremity up broke were cities connected the West oregon East Coasts. California metro hubs figured prominently connected the list, with each 10 of the state's largest cities among the apical 25. Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York besides had aggregate metro areas included connected the list.

Which cities were the astir affordable for a household making $100,000?

In 1 successful 3 cities, however, a $100,000 wage "is inactive magical," adjacent for a household of three. Earners successful these areas could inactive pouch $1,000 oregon much each period aft paying basal expenses, LendingTree found.

McAllen, Texas, located connected the U.S. - Mexico border, came successful astatine the apical for places wherever a $100,000 wage volition springiness you the biggest bang for your buck. Residents determination would person $1,770 near implicit aft subtracting wealth for their monthly expenditures. Close down McAllen are Little Rock, Arkansas and El Paso, Texas, according to the report.

For those facing stubborn costs of living, LendingTree says determination are inactive ways to mitigate the impact whether it's by staying successful your rental longer, expanding your exigency savings cushion, oregon reducing the involvement complaint you're paying.

In:
• Home Prices
• Rents
• Savings
• Affordable Housing