Living comfortably—covering essentials, enjoying some discretionary spending, and saving for the future—can feel out of reach in many U.S. cities, especially for single adults. Rising costs for housing, groceries, and transportation often stretch budgets thin. Yet, a recent SmartAsset analysis highlights nine major U.S. cities where single adults can live well on the median income, based on the 50/30/20 budgeting rule: 50% for necessities, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or investments.
Using data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, SmartAsset evaluated the 100 largest U.S. cities to find where the median income for full-time single workers aligns with this standard of comfort. Nationwide, a single adult needs at least $85,197 annually to live comfortably in the least expensive of these cities, and over $120,000 in the priciest, like San Francisco. Here are the nine cities where the median income meets or exceeds the "comfort" threshold, listed alphabetically:
Arlington, Texas
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $90,709
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $88,925
- Difference: +$ 1,784
In Arlington, nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth, single adults earning the median income have a small cushion of $1,784 annually. While housing costs have risen—February 2025 rent prices were 27% higher than in 2020, per Federal Reserve data—the city’s job market, bolstered by sectors like aerospace and automotive, keeps it viable.
Aurora, Colorado
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $92,614
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $92,614
- Difference: $0
Aurora, near Denver, offers a break-even point for singles at the median income of $92,614. Growth in tech and healthcare jobs supports this balance, though escalating housing costs, driven by Colorado’s broader market trends, leave little wiggle room.
Chesapeake, Virginia
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $90,014
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $85,363
- Difference: +$4,651
Part of the Virginia Beach metro area, Chesapeake provides a $4,651 surplus for singles earning $90,014. Its proximity to military and shipping hubs fuels employment, while a lower cost of living compared to nearby urban centers helps stretch incomes further.
Corpus Christi, Texas
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $85,446
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $85,446
- Difference: $0
In Corpus Christi, a Gulf Coast city, the median income of $85,446 exactly matches the amount needed for a comfortable life. Energy and port-related jobs anchor the economy, though rising costs for essentials like groceries, up significantly since 2020, keep budgets tight.
Fort Worth, Texas
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $90,709
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $88,925
- Difference: +$1,784
Fort Worth mirrors Arlington with a median income of $90,709, leaving $1,784 extra. Its blend of cowboy culture and modern industries like logistics and manufacturing offers steady work, though housing pressures from the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area loom large.
Gilbert, Arizona
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $102,252
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $92,118
- Difference: +$10,134
Gilbert, a fast-growing Phoenix suburb, stands out with a $10,134 surplus for singles earning $102,252. Tech and healthcare jobs drive this edge, and while Arizona’s housing market has heated up, Gilbert’s family-friendly vibe keeps it affordable relative to its income levels.
Plano, Texas
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $104,158
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $94,402
- Difference: +$9,756
Plano, a Dallas suburb, boasts a $9,756 buffer for singles at $104,158. Home to corporate giants like Toyota and J.C. Penney, it offers high-paying opportunities, offsetting Texas’s rising property taxes and living costs.
Raleigh, North Carolina
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $94,985
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $90,014
- Difference: +$4,971
Raleigh’s Research Triangle fuels a median income of $94,985, leaving $4,971 extra. Tech and education jobs thrive here, and while housing costs have climbed, the city’s growth keeps it a sweet spot for singles.
Scottsdale, Arizona
- Median Income for Full-Time Single Workers: $104,241
- Income Needed to Live Comfortably: $97,895
- Difference: +$6,346
Scottsdale’s $104,241 median income yields a $6,346 surplus. Tourism and upscale retail jobs bolster earnings, and though its desert luxury comes with higher costs, singles here enjoy a comfortable margin.
Why These Cities Work
Larger cities often pay more—the “urban wage premium”—due to diverse, specialized job markets, according to Federal Reserve research. Since 1980, wages in dense urban areas have outpaced smaller locales, says Jen Swindler, a financial planner from Salt Lake City. “Clients in high-cost, high-salary areas often have more savings and disposable income,” she notes, “because job opportunities outweigh the cost of living.”
Still, comfort varies. Some singles might opt for roommates or skip car ownership, tweaking the 50/30/20 model to fit their reality. For those eyeing a side hustle to boost income, experts suggest exploring options like CNBC’s “How to Start a Side Hustle” course, offering a 30% discount with code EARLYBIRD through April 1, 2025.
In these nine cities, single adults can breathe easier, balancing bills, fun, and future goals on a median income—a rare win in today’s economic landscape.
