Here’s how much you need to earn to live comfortably in NYC, according to new study

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you want to live in New York City without worrying about finances, you’ll need a hefty yearly income.

SmartAsset released a new study that found the salary needed to live comfortably in top cities across the United States in 2026. There are three factors it used to designate “living comfortably” based on your salary — the 50/30/20 rule. Under this rule, 50% of your post-tax income goes to needs, 30% goes to wants, and 20% goes to the future.

And it’s no surprise that New York City made the top of the list with the highest yearly income needed to live comfortably. A single adult needs to earn $158,954 to live comfortably in New York City, according to SmartAsset’s study.

The salary needed for a working family of four in New York City is $337,875. The median household income is $81,875 in New York City, according to the study.

Here are the top 10 cities with the highest yearly salaries needed for individuals to live comfortably, according to the study.

10 – Oakland, California (tie): $134,410

10 – Fremont, California (tie): $134,410

9 – San Francisco, California: $134,950

7 – Chula Vista, California (tie): $136,781

7 – San Diego, California (tie): $136,781

6 – Boston, Massachusetts: $139,776

3 – Santa Ana, California (tie): $151,965

3 – Anaheim, California (tie): $151,965

3 – Irvine, California (tie): $151,965

2 – San Jose, California: $158,080

1 – New York City: $158,954

Here are the top 10 cities with the lowest yearly salaries for individuals to live comfortably, according to the study.

10 – Fort Wayne, Indiana: $88,982

9 – Tucson, Arizona: $88,899

8 – Winston-Salem, North Carolina: $88,442

7 – Tulsa, Oklahoma: $88,317

6 – Louisville, Kentucky: $88,234

5 – Baltimore, Maryland: $87,485

4 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: $86,861

3 – Memphis, Tennessee: $86,320

2 – New Orleans, Louisiana: $84,406

1 – San Antonio, Texas: $83,242