2026 Paycheck Power Rankings - SmartReads by SmartAsset

The power of a paycheck depends on more than the dollar value printed on it. In some areas, higher salaries are offset by steep costs for housing and food. In others, modest earnings can stretch considerably further. The balance between income and expenses determines how much workers have left to save, invest or spend after covering everyday needs.

SmartAsset evaluated the living wage — the earnings required for life’s basic necessities — in the nation’s 100 largest metro areas. Each metro’s living wage was then compared with the area’s median income to identify where the typical worker spends the largest percentage of their paycheck just to survive. The study also calculated how much the median worker in each metro has left over after paying for basic necessities to invest for retirement or spend on leisure activities.

Key Findings

Austin boasts the strongest paycheck power. The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area ranked No. 1 overall. There, estimated median earnings are $76,322, with about 65% needed to pay for basic necessities. That leaves the median Austin worker with $27,005 for discretionary spending and retirement savings.
Honolulu has the weakest paycheck power. In Honolulu, the median worker spends 99% of their income on basic necessities, leaving just $729 for discretionary spending and retirement savings. It’s followed by Miami, Florida.
Some expensive metros boast high paycheck power. While places like San Francisco and Seattle are known for their high costs of living, those costs are offset to a degree by atypically high median incomes. Both metros rank among the top 15 for paycheck power.
Half of the worst-ranked metros are in California. Of the 10 metros ranking lowest for paycheck power, five are in California: Bakersfield-Delano, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Fresno, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim.

Questions and Answers

Where does a paycheck go furthest?

The Austin-Round Rock metro area ranks No. 1 in SmartAsset’s Paycheck Power Rankings, which evaluates the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. There, the median worker should have about 35% of their earnings left over after paying for the essentials of living, such as housing, food, transportation and other common expenses.

Is Honolulu an expensive place to live?

In Honolulu, it can take 98.9% of the median worker’s income to afford the essentials of living, such as housing, food, transportation and other common expenses. This leaves $729 per year for retirement saving and discretionary spending.

What is the living wage?

The living wage is the earnings required to afford a minimum but adequate lifestyle, including food prepared and consumed at home, transportation, clothing, basic personal care products, cleaning supplies, various miscellaneous expenses and housing — calculated as the 40th-percentile gross rent for a studio apartment for single people with no children. It excludes things like vacations, dining out, investing for retirement and building emergency savings.

What is the salary needed to live comfortably?

An area’s salary needed to live comfortably is the earnings required to live using the “50/30/20 rule.” Under the rule, 50% of income goes to necessities like housing and utilities, 30% to discretionary spending and 20% to savings for retirement and emergencies.

Metros Ranked

1. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

Living wage: $49,317
Estimated median earnings: $76,322
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 64.6% (63.4% to 65.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $27,005 (pre-tax)

2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC

Living wage: $60,341
Estimated median earnings: $92,391
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 65.3% (64.1% to 66.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $32,050 (pre-tax)

3. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Living wage: $51,272
Estimated median earnings: $76,923
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 66.7% (64.7% to 68.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $25,651 (pre-tax)

4. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Living wage: $60,757
Estimated median earnings: $91,052
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 66.7% (65.8% to 67.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $30,295 (pre-tax)

5. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN

Living wage: $50,898
Estimated median earnings: $76,198
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 66.8% (66.2% to 67.4% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $25,300 (pre-tax)

6. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Living wage: $70,117
Estimated median earnings: $104,912
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 66.8% (65.5% to 68.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $34,795 (pre-tax)

7. Toledo, OH

Living wage: $41,475
Estimated median earnings: $61,913
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 67.0% (64.3% to 69.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $20,438 (pre-tax)

8. Cincinnati, OH

Living wage: $44,262
Estimated median earnings: $65,993
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 67.1% (65.6% to 68.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $21,731 (pre-tax)

9. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

Living wage: $52,291
Estimated median earnings: $77,917
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 67.1% (64.8% to 69.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $25,626 (pre-tax)

10. Pittsburgh, PA

Living wage: $46,280
Estimated median earnings: $68,624
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 67.4% (66.4% to 68.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $22,344 (pre-tax)

11. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Living wage: $46,114
Estimated median earnings: $67,863
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.0% (66.2% to 69.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $21,749 (pre-tax)

12. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Living wage: $45,802
Estimated median earnings: $67,330
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.0% (66.1% to 70.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $21,528 (pre-tax)

13. Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH

Living wage: $43,389
Estimated median earnings: $63,750
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.1% (66.7% to 69.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $20,361 (pre-tax)

14. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Living wage: $51,064
Estimated median earnings: $74,955
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.1% (67.2% to 69.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $23,891 (pre-tax)

15. Columbus, OH

Living wage: $46,634
Estimated median earnings: $68,389
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.2% (66.8% to 69.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $21,755 (pre-tax)

16. Madison, WI

Living wage: $50,024
Estimated median earnings: $72,853
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.7% (66.3% to 71.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $22,829 (pre-tax)

17. Cleveland, OH

Living wage: $43,971
Estimated median earnings: $64,007
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.7% (68.1% to 69.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $20,036 (pre-tax)

18. St. Louis, MO

Living wage: $45,323
Estimated median earnings: $65,774
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 68.9% (68.3% to 69.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $20,451 (pre-tax)

19. Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA

Living wage: $46,197
Estimated median earnings: $66,576
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 69.4% (67.0% to 72.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $20,379 (pre-tax)

20. Akron, OH

Living wage: $43,742
Estimated median earnings: $62,878
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 69.6% (66.8% to 72.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $19,136 (pre-tax)

21. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Living wage: $57,013
Estimated median earnings: $81,575
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 69.9% (68.8% to 71.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $24,562 (pre-tax)

22. Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT

Living wage: $59,717
Estimated median earnings: $85,442
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 69.9% (68.8% to 71.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $25,725 (pre-tax)

23. Syracuse, NY

Living wage: $47,237
Estimated median earnings: $67,334
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 70.2% (67.5% to 73.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $20,097 (pre-tax)

24. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Living wage: $49,878
Estimated median earnings: $71,060
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 70.2% (67.0% to 73.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $21,182 (pre-tax)

25. Raleigh-Cary, NC

Living wage: $53,664
Estimated median earnings: $76,295
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 70.3% (69.0% to 71.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $22,631 (pre-tax)

26. New Haven, CT

Living wage: $52,666
Estimated median earnings: $74,692
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 70.5% (68.3% to 72.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $22,026 (pre-tax)

27. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

Living wage: $44,387
Estimated median earnings: $62,562
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 70.9% (69.1% to 72.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $18,175 (pre-tax)

28. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA

Living wage: $52,790
Estimated median earnings: $74,392
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 71.0% (70.4% to 71.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $21,602 (pre-tax)

29. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Living wage: $47,424
Estimated median earnings: $66,709
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 71.1% (68.7% to 73.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $19,285 (pre-tax)

30. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Living wage: $46,155
Estimated median earnings: $63,885
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 72.2% (71.7% to 72.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $17,730 (pre-tax)

31. Wichita, KS

Living wage: $43,222
Estimated median earnings: $59,812
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 72.3% (70.6% to 74.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $16,590 (pre-tax)

32. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Living wage: $78,894
Estimated median earnings: $108,841
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 72.5% (70.4% to 74.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $29,947 (pre-tax)

33. Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Living wage: $47,694
Estimated median earnings: $65,786
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 72.5% (71.1% to 74.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $18,092 (pre-tax)

34. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL

Living wage: $53,664
Estimated median earnings: $73,979
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 72.5% (72.0% to 73.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $20,315 (pre-tax)

35. Kansas City, MO

Living wage: $47,778
Estimated median earnings: $65,528
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 72.9% (72.3% to 73.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $17,750 (pre-tax)

36. Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Living wage: $47,736
Estimated median earnings: $65,140
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 73.3% (72.5% to 74.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $17,404 (pre-tax)

37. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Living wage: $42,286
Estimated median earnings: $57,495
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 73.5% (71.7% to 75.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $15,209 (pre-tax)

38. Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC

Living wage: $46,488
Estimated median earnings: $63,115
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 73.7% (71.1% to 76.4% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $16,627 (pre-tax)

39. Worcester, MA

Living wage: $56,056
Estimated median earnings: $75,941
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 73.8% (72.4% to 75.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $19,885 (pre-tax)

40. Omaha, NE

Living wage: $47,736
Estimated median earnings: $64,464
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.1% (73.2% to 74.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $16,728 (pre-tax)

41. Providence-Warwick, RI

Living wage: $52,229
Estimated median earnings: $70,407
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.2% (73.1% to 75.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $18,178 (pre-tax)

42. Rochester, NY

Living wage: $48,734
Estimated median earnings: $65,626
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.3% (73.1% to 75.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $16,892 (pre-tax)

43. Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Living wage: $47,882
Estimated median earnings: $64,459
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.3% (73.1% to 75.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $16,577 (pre-tax)

44. Birmingham, AL

Living wage: $46,176
Estimated median earnings: $61,984
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.5% (71.4% to 77.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $15,808 (pre-tax)

45. Lancaster, PA

Living wage: $49,504
Estimated median earnings: $66,394
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.6% (72.3% to 77.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $16,890 (pre-tax)

46. Winston-Salem, NC

Living wage: $42,973
Estimated median earnings: $57,613
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.6% (71.6% to 77.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,640 (pre-tax)

47. Augusta-Richmond County, GA

Living wage: $43,722
Estimated median earnings: $58,570
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 74.6% (71.5% to 78.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,848 (pre-tax)

48. Colorado Springs, CO

Living wage: $50,190
Estimated median earnings: $66,708
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 75.2% (72.5% to 78.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $16,518 (pre-tax)

49. Oklahoma City, OK

Living wage: $44,179
Estimated median earnings: $58,671
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 75.3% (74.0% to 76.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,492 (pre-tax)

50. Baton Rouge, LA

Living wage: $45,490
Estimated median earnings: $60,353
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 75.4% (72.5% to 78.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,863 (pre-tax)

51. Knoxville, TN

Living wage: $45,427
Estimated median earnings: $59,749
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 76.0% (74.6% to 77.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,322 (pre-tax)

52. Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA

Living wage: $44,720
Estimated median earnings: $58,811
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 76.0% (74.0% to 78.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,091 (pre-tax)

53. North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL

Living wage: $48,693
Estimated median earnings: $63,839
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 76.3% (74.9% to 77.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $15,146 (pre-tax)

54. Albuquerque, NM

Living wage: $46,405
Estimated median earnings: $60,801
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 76.3% (72.8% to 80.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,396 (pre-tax)

55. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC

Living wage: $50,315
Estimated median earnings: $65,887
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 76.4% (75.0% to 77.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $15,572 (pre-tax)

56. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Living wage: $50,211
Estimated median earnings: $65,744
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 76.4% (76.0% to 76.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $15,533 (pre-tax)

57. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

Living wage: $44,075
Estimated median earnings: $57,207
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.0% (74.4% to 79.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $13,132 (pre-tax)

58. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR

Living wage: $58,594
Estimated median earnings: $76,024
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.1% (76.3% to 77.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $17,430 (pre-tax)

59. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA

Living wage: $49,670
Estimated median earnings: $64,420
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.1% (75.9% to 78.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,750 (pre-tax)

60. Chattanooga, TN

Living wage: $46,925
Estimated median earnings: $60,619
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.4% (74.4% to 80.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $13,694 (pre-tax)

61. Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

Living wage: $49,462
Estimated median earnings: $63,880
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.4% (76.7% to 78.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,418 (pre-tax)

62. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT

Living wage: $51,251
Estimated median earnings: $66,181
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.4% (75.3% to 79.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,930 (pre-tax)

63. Jacksonville, FL

Living wage: $48,027
Estimated median earnings: $62,001
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.5% (74.3% to 80.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $13,974 (pre-tax)

64. Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT

Living wage: $53,040
Estimated median earnings: $68,069
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 77.9% (74.1% to 82.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $15,029 (pre-tax)

65. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA

Living wage: $67,517
Estimated median earnings: $86,585
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 78.0% (77.5% to 78.4% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $19,068 (pre-tax)

66. Memphis, TN

Living wage: $43,909
Estimated median earnings: $56,163
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 78.2% (75.3% to 81.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $12,254 (pre-tax)

67. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN

Living wage: $51,085
Estimated median earnings: $65,326
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 78.2% (77.5% to 78.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,241 (pre-tax)

68. Tucson, AZ

Living wage: $44,450
Estimated median earnings: $56,737
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 78.3% (75.7% to 81.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $12,287 (pre-tax)

69. Boise City, ID

Living wage: $50,856
Estimated median earnings: $64,906
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 78.4% (77.1% to 79.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,050 (pre-tax)

70. Tulsa, OK

Living wage: $44,262
Estimated median earnings: $56,312
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 78.6% (77.0% to 80.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $12,050 (pre-tax)

71. Richmond, VA

Living wage: $51,958
Estimated median earnings: $65,924
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 78.8% (77.1% to 80.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $13,966 (pre-tax)

72. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Living wage: $60,091
Estimated median earnings: $75,703
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 79.4% (78.5% to 80.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $15,612 (pre-tax)

73. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

Living wage: $46,738
Estimated median earnings: $58,194
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 80.3% (76.6% to 84.4% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $11,456 (pre-tax)

74. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Living wage: $54,829
Estimated median earnings: $68,206
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 80.4% (79.1% to 81.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $13,377 (pre-tax)

75. Columbia, SC

Living wage: $44,533
Estimated median earnings: $55,385
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 80.4% (78.3% to 82.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $10,852 (pre-tax)

76. Greensboro-High Point, NC

Living wage: $45,386
Estimated median earnings: $56,330
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 80.6% (76.6% to 85.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $10,944 (pre-tax)

77. El Paso, TX

Living wage: $38,563
Estimated median earnings: $47,562
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 81.1% (77.3% to 85.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $8,999 (pre-tax)

78. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL

Living wage: $45,635
Estimated median earnings: $56,183
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 81.2% (77.9% to 84.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $10,548 (pre-tax)

79. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Living wage: $52,978
Estimated median earnings: $65,030
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 81.5% (81.0% to 82.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $12,052 (pre-tax)

80. Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA

Living wage: $52,062
Estimated median earnings: $63,806
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 81.6% (80.7% to 82.5% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $11,744 (pre-tax)

81. Modesto, CA

Living wage: $52,416
Estimated median earnings: $63,912
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 82.0% (80.3% to 83.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $11,496 (pre-tax)

82. Stockton-Lodi, CA

Living wage: $54,142
Estimated median earnings: $65,834
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 82.2% (78.9% to 85.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $11,692 (pre-tax)

83. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY

Living wage: $65,520
Estimated median earnings: $79,624
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 82.3% (81.8% to 82.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $14,104 (pre-tax)

84. Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Living wage: $54,142
Estimated median earnings: $65,235
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 83.0% (81.7% to 84.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $11,093 (pre-tax)

85. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

Living wage: $50,606
Estimated median earnings: $60,570
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 83.6% (81.9% to 85.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $9,964 (pre-tax)

86. Port St. Lucie, FL

Living wage: $49,962
Estimated median earnings: $59,323
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 84.2% (81.0% to 87.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $9,361 (pre-tax)

87. Jackson, MS

Living wage: $46,114
Estimated median earnings: $53,807
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 85.7% (84.0% to 87.4% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $7,693 (pre-tax)

88. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Living wage: $46,093
Estimated median earnings: $53,456
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 86.2% (84.3% to 88.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $7,363 (pre-tax)

89. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Living wage: $68,390
Estimated median earnings: $77,087
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 88.7% (86.8% to 90.7% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $8,697 (pre-tax)

90. Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Living wage: $50,066
Estimated median earnings: $56,315
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 88.9% (83.8% to 94.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $6,249 (pre-tax)

91. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX

Living wage: $38,293
Estimated median earnings: $43,056
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 88.9% (87.1% to 90.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $4,763 (pre-tax)

92. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA

Living wage: $65,333
Estimated median earnings: $72,161
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 90.5% (86.5% to 95.0% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $6,828 (pre-tax)

93. Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV

Living wage: $50,336
Estimated median earnings: $55,202
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 91.2% (90.1% to 92.3% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $4,866 (pre-tax)

94. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

Living wage: $52,333
Estimated median earnings: $57,298
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 91.3% (89.1% to 93.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $4,965 (pre-tax)

95. Fresno, CA

Living wage: $52,686
Estimated median earnings: $57,175
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 92.1% (87.0% to 97.9% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $4,489 (pre-tax)

96. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Living wage: $58,781
Estimated median earnings: $63,544
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 92.5% (91.4% to 93.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $4,763 (pre-tax)

97. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Living wage: $64,043
Estimated median earnings: $69,009
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 92.8% (92.1% to 93.6% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $4,966 (pre-tax)

98. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

Living wage: $52,520
Estimated median earnings: $55,082
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 95.3% (93.6% to 97.2% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $2,562 (pre-tax)

99. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

Living wage: $53,789
Estimated median earnings: $55,233
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 97.4% (96.7% to 98.1% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $1,444 (pre-tax)

100. Urban Honolulu, HI

Living wage: $64,126
Estimated median earnings: $64,855
Share of earnings needed for necessities: 98.9% (98.0% to 99.8% at 90% confidence)
Left over after necessities: $729 (pre-tax)

Methodology

The 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas were scored. Each score is the MIT Living Wage Calculator value published in February 2026 for a single adult with no children divided by adjusted median earnings; a lower percentage means pay goes further. Because MIT’s living wage estimate is a published cost-of-living benchmark rather than a single-month observed wage measure, median earnings were modeled forward to the first quarter of 2026 to approximate the closest available wage-period comparison. Pay is the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year median earnings for full-time, year-round workers, modeled to the first quarter of 2026 using national wage growth in the Employment Cost Index for private-sector workers (referred to here as “estimated median earnings”). All figures are gross (pre-tax). ACS figures are sample estimates. To gauge uncertainty, 1,000 random medians were drawn per metro, scaled to its 90% margin of error. All 100 metros were re-ranked with each draw, holding the living wage fixed. A metro’s 90% rank range is the 5th to 95th percentile of its simulated ranks. Metros ranked close together are statistically similar. For 58 metros the range is 15 places or fewer; for 29 it exceeds 20. Top and bottom ranks are firmer: Austin (No. 1) ranges 1 to 3, Miami (No. 99) 98 to 99. Mid-table ranks are softer: Spokane (No. 19) ranges from 9 to 30. Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.