With gas prices flying high alongside rent rates and grocery bills, the idea of “comfortable” living in the United States seems like a nothing more than a pipe dream for many people in 2026.

But in the good ol’ 210, that dream may be significantly more achievable than in, well, almost every other city in the nation. 

That’s according to a new study from financial technology company SmartAsset, which listed San Antonio in the top spot on this year’s “10 Cities With the Lowest Salary Needed to Live Comfortably” list. So, just how much money do you have to make a year to live comfortably in San Antonio? Here’s what to know.

Researchers at SmartAsset compiled the list as part of a larger study, which aimed to nail down just how much money city residents need to make to “live comfortably” in America in 2026. To work out the rankings, the study gleaned data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator to assess the “basic cost of living” for a single working adult, as well as two working adults with two kids.

Researchers weighed several factors, including the cost of “housing, food, transportation and income taxes.” The data points were “updated to reflect the most recent data available on Feb. 15, 2026.”

To the surprise of absolutely no one, residents living in large metro areas like New York, Boston, San Jose and more need to make the most money to live a comfortable life in their respective cities — with many required salaries peaking over $150,000. 

San Antonio, however, “has the lowest salary threshold for both single adults and families of four at $83,242 and $192,608, respectively,” researchers wrote. That relatively low benchmark may explain why the city ranks as the most affordable place to live comfortably among major U.S. metros.

As the seventh-largest city in the nation, San Antonio’s median household income is $66,176, according to the study. Here’s where San Antonio’s cost of living ranks in comparison to other U.S. cities. 

1. San Antonio, Texas

2. New Orleans, Louisiana

3. Memphis, Tennessee

4. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

5. Baltimore, Maryland