Money/Economy
9 minutes reading
Written byJami Farkas
Edited byAmen Oyiboke
Commitment to our readers
The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services. Our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about ourseditorial guidelinesand our products and servicesaudit method.
20 yearsHelps you live richer
Ratedby experts
Entrusted byMillions of readers
like youearn $50,000 per yearin San Francisco or New York you will undoubtedly need a roommate (or three) to make ends meet. But in many cities in the United States, $50,000 a year is enough to live on.
So what kind of expensive enclaves are there? GOBankingRates has rounded up the locations in each state that are best suited for someone making $50,000 a year -with living costs that allow them to save for the futureand cover costs in the present.
Every state in the United States has options where you can live for less than $50,000. See where you can live near you to increase your salary even further.
Alaska
Anchorage
- Level:77
- Average income:$ 88.871
- Total annual needs:$ 26.375
Ketchikan
- Level:76
- Average income:$ 68.125
- Total annual needs:$ 26.276
Palmer
- Level:75
- Average income:$ 62.068
- Total annual needs:$ 28.830
Alabama
Huntsville
- Level:81
- Average income:$ 60.959
- Total annual needs:$ 22.806
Firenze
- Level:81
- Average income:$ 40.944
- Total annual needs:$ 22.073
Vestavia-heuvels
- Level:80
- Average income:$ 118.539
- Total annual needs:$ 23.440
Arizona
Gilbert
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 105.733
- Total annual needs:$ 22.822
Mesa
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 65.725
- Total annual needs:$ 22.506
King man
- Level:80
- Average income:$ 52.768
- Total annual needs:$ 23.086
Arkansas
Rogers
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 69.582
- Total annual needs:$ 20.568
Bentonville
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 89.653
- Total annual needs:$ 20.765
Fayetteville
- Level:79
- Average income:$ 52.111
- Total annual needs:$ 20.857
California
Cupertino
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 199.778
- Total annual needs:$ 26.335
Traces of the lark
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 135.260
- Total annual needs:$ 25.702
San Anselmo
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 153.381
- Total annual needs:$ 25.715
Colorado
Lafayette
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 95.033
- Total annual needs:$ 21.592
Arvada
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 96.677
- Total annual needs:$ 22.471
Bezemveld
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 107.570
- Total annual needs:$ 22.640
Connecticut
De Milford
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 65.625
- Total annual needs:$ 24.538
From the seas
- Level:81
- Average income:$ 59.792
- Total annual needs:$ 24.572
Bridge Gate
- Level:81
- Average income:$ 50.597
- Total annual needs:$ 27.989
Delaware
Newark
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 61.646
- Total annual needs:$ 23.999
Pike Creek
- Level:74
- Average income:$ 131.603
- Total annual needs:$ 24.294
Wilmington mansion
- Level:74
- Average income:$ 64.767
- Total annual needs:$ 23.855
Florida
Bay Harbor Islands
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 79.824
- Total annual needs:$ 25.343
Seminole
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 63.352
- Total annual needs:$ 23.188
Safety harbour
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 96.365
- Total annual needs:$ 23.403
Georgia
Decatur
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 123.617
- Total annual needs:$ 23.711
Lawrenceville
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 51.242
- Total annual needs:$ 22.196
Northern Druid Hills
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 81.830
- Total annual needs:$ 23.333
Hawaii
Oost-Honolulu
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 139.041
- Total annual needs:$ 30.056
Nasty
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 79.331
- Total annual needs:$ 28.590
through Milan
- Level:78
- Average income:$ 108.192
- Total annual needs:$ 29.704
Idaho
Kopbok
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 65.619
- Total annual needs:$ 20.884
Mail falls
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 65.592
- Total annual needs:$ 21.058
Idaho Falls
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 57.412
- Total annual needs:$ 20.842
Illinois
Edwardsville
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 78.298
- Total annual needs:$ 21.749
Western sources
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 196.638
- Total annual needs:$ 23.362
To leave
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 124.292
- Total annual needs:$ 23.315
Indiana
West-Lafayette
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 28.744
- Total annual needs:$ 20.388
Noblesville
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 89.258
- Total annual needs:$ 21.839
Before joy
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 24.000
- Total annual needs:$ 19.976
Iowa
Ankeny
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 92.959
- Total annual needs:$ 21.639
Ames
- Level:91
- Average income:$ 54.339
- Total annual needs:$ 22.350
Urbandale
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 100.589
- Total annual needs:$ 21,017
Kansas
Laurens
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 56.536
- Total annual needs:$ 22.586
Lenexa
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 96.477
- Total annual needs:$ 22.164
Shawnee
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 93.835
- Total annual needs:$ 22.254
Kentucky
Bellevue
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 69.135
- Total annual needs:$ 22.171
Fort Thomas
- Level:91
- Average income:$ 85.938
- Total annual needs:$ 22.162
Edgewood
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 109.909
- Total annual needs:$ 22.451
Louisiana
Metairie
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 65.740
- Total annual needs:$ 22.859
Thibodaux
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 46.658
- Total annual needs:$ 22.786,80
Open wood
- Level:78
- Average income:$ 75.526
- Total annual needs:$ 22.793
Maine
Brunswick
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 65.285
- Total annual needs:$ 21.424
Portland
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 66.109
- Total annual needs:$ 21.367
Westbrook
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 71.335
- Total annual needs:$ 21.449
Maryland
Lutherville
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 129.567
- Total annual needs:$ 22.546
North Kensington
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 117.708
- Total annual needs:$ 24.664
Perry Hall
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 94.576
- Total annual needs:$ 22.888
Massachusetts
Lexington
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 202.852
- Total annual needs:$ 24.179
Winchester
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 184.844
- Total annual needs:$ 23.980
Melrose
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 125.229
- Total annual needs:$ 23.585
Michigan
Clawson
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 76.575
- Total annual needs:$ 21.460
Berkley
- Level:91
- Average income:$ 96.993
- Total annual needs:$ 21.771
Farmington
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 84.558
- Total annual needs:$ 21.978
Minnesota
Rochester
- Level:91
- Average income:$ 79.159
- Total annual needs:$ 20.645
Champlin
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 104.200
- Total annual needs:$ 21.592
St. Louis-park
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 87.639
- Total annual needs:$ 21.245
Mississippi
Oxford
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 51.096
- Total annual needs:$ 20.639
Ocean resources
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 63.653
- Total annual needs:$ 21.565
Madison
- Level:80
- Average income:$ 119.662
- Total annual needs:$ 21.709
Missouri
Maple wood
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 52.420
- Total annual needs:$ 21.372
Brentwood
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 81.692
- Total annual needs:$ 21.327
Clayton
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 117.593
- Total annual needs:$ 21.668
Montana
Bozeman
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 67.354
- Total annual needs:$ 21.191
white fish
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 64.595
- Total annual needs:$ 20.762
Helena
- Level:80
- Average income:$ 59.712
- Total annual needs:$ 20.289
Nebraska
Bellevue
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 73.534
- Total annual needs:$ 22.916
Butterfly
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 95.293
- Total annual needs:$ 22.933
Lincoln
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 62.566
- Total annual needs:$ 23.749
Nevada
Las Vegas
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 61.356
- Total annual needs:$ 23.652
Reno
- Level:80
- Average income:$ 67.557
- Total annual needs:$ 21.791
Winchester
- Level:78
- Average income:$ 40.672
- Total annual needs:$ 23.652
New Hampshire
Dover
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 82.387
- Total annual needs:$ 21.463
Agreement
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 73.156
- Total annual needs:$ 20.934
Keene
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 63.490
- Total annual needs:$ 20.346
New Jersey
Pompton Sea
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 100.906
- Total annual needs:$ 24.596
Ridgewood
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 194.256
- Total annual needs:$ 26.386
Highland Park
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 85.652
- Total annual needs:$ 25.236
The Mexico
Poplars
- Level:80
- Average income:$ 118.293
- Total annual needs:$ 19.343
Santa Fe
- Level:78
- Average income:$ 61.990
- Total annual needs:$ 20.241
The silver city
- Level:76
- Average income:$ 31.451
- Total annual needs:$ 19.323
New York
Niskayuna
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 116.148
- Total annual needs:$ 23.697
Malverne
- Level:88
- Average income:$ 139.915
- Total annual needs:$ 29.833
Downtown Rockville
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 131.090
- Total annual needs:$ 30.083,91
North Carolina
Cary
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 113.782
- Total annual needs:$ 21.537
Highlight
- Level:87
- Average income:$ 121.313
- Total annual needs:$ 21.733
Holly Springs
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 120.229
- Total annual needs:$ 21.816
North Dakota
Fargo
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 60.243
- Total annual needs:$ 20.692
Big forks
- Level:78
- Average income:$ 53.611
- Total annual needs:$ 21.235
West Fargo
- Level:77
- Average income:$ 93.382
- Total annual needs:$ 20.844
Ohio
Grandview Heights
- Level:94
- Average income:$ 89.415
- Total annual needs:$ 21.306
Worthington
- Level:93
- Average income:$ 113.559
- Total annual needs:$ 21.543
Bexley
- Level:91
- Average income:$ 121.182
- Total annual needs:$ 21.204
Oklahoma
Normandy
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 59.866
- Total annual needs:$ 22.511
Still water
- Level:81
- Average income:$ 37.991
- Total annual needs:$ 22.816
Oklahoma city
- Level:79
- Average income:$ 59.679
- Total annual needs:$ 22.312
Oregon
Sherwood
- Level:93
- Average income:$ 104.651
- Total annual needs:$ 22.874
Cedar Hills
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 91.972
- Total annual needs:$ 22.578
Central point
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 73.534
- Total annual needs:$ 21.566
Pennsylvania
Ardmore
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 107.087
- Total annual needs:$ 23.727
Dormant
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 61.890
- Total annual needs:$ 22.377
Camp Hill
- Level:91
- Average income:$ 99.137
- Total annual needs:$ 22.944
Rhode Island
Cranston
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 77.145
- Total annual needs:$ 22.841
Providence
- Level:80
- Average income:$ 55.787
- Total annual needs:$ 23.064
Newport
- Level:78
- Average income:$ 77.092
- Total annual needs:$ 22.486
South Carolina
Simpsonville
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 76.412
- Total annual needs:$ 21.412
Mauldin
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 73.755
- Total annual needs:$ 20.971
Clemson
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 48.335
- Total annual needs:$ 22.025
South Dakota
Brandon
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 96.367
- Total annual needs:$ 21.432
Sioux Falls
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 66.761
- Total annual needs:$ 21.198
Vermilion
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 47.920
- Total annual needs:$ 21.372
Tennessee
Nolensville
- Level:81
- Average income:$ 152.500
- Total annual needs:$ 23.264
Clarksville
- Level:81
- Average income:$ 58.838
- Total annual needs:$ 21.492
Nashville
- Level:78
- Average income:$ 65.565
- Total annual needs:$ 22.514
Texas
The forests
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 130.011
- Total annual needs:$ 22.323
Denton
- Level:86
- Average income:$ 65.168
- Total annual needs:$ 21.910
Leander
- Level:85
- Average income:$ 117.090
- Total annual needs:$ 23.171
Utah
Kaysville
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 110.700
- Total annual needs:$ 21.391
Farmington
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 107.559
- Total annual needs:$ 21.485
Orem
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 70.412
- Total annual needs:$ 21.459
Vermont
Essex connection
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 79.677
- Total annual needs:$ 25.315
Zuid-Burlington
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 83.750
- Total annual needs:$ 24.892
Montpelier
- Level:84
- Average income:$ 71.163
- Total annual needs:$ 24.414
Virginia
Lynchburg
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 54.015
- Total annual needs:$ 21.311
Purcellville
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 140.536
- Total annual needs:$ 25.304
Merrifield
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 128.361
- Total annual needs:$ 25.084
Washington
Bothell
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 116.578
- Total annual needs:$ 23.143
battlefield
- Level:90
- Average income:$ 85.943
- Total annual needs:$ 22.664
Redmond
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 147.006
- Total annual needs:$ 22.666
West Virginia
Charleston
- Level:83
- Average income:$ 54.101
- Total annual needs:$ 23.950
Bridge Gate
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 87.936
- Total annual needs:$ 22.878
Morgantown
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 36.991
- Total annual needs:$ 22.818
Wisconsin
Whitefish Bay
- Level:93
- Average income:$ 134.324
- Total annual needs:$ 22.034
Kusthout
- Level:92
- Average income:$ 81.016
- Total annual needs:$ 22.315
Wausau
- Level:89
- Average income:$ 53.800
- Total annual needs:$ 20.644
Wyoming
Cheyenne
- Level:82
- Average income:$ 70.705
- Total annual needs:$ 23.964
Gillette
- Level:79
- Average income:$ 83.193
- Total annual needs:$ 24.305
Jackson
- Level:77
- Average income:$ 83.289
- Total annual needs:$ 25.272
Joel Andersencontributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best places to live with a $50,000 salary in each state by analyzing cities based on the following criteria; [1] cities with at least 5,000 households from the US. Census American Consumer Survey, [2] Livability Index as obtained from AreaVibes, [3] Average Cost of Living as obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, and [4] cost of living indexes for grocery stores, healthcare, utilities , transportation and miscellaneous, as taken from Sperling's BestPlaces. All data has been collected and will be updated as of November 15, 2023.
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