According to KTLA, California’s high cost of living makes it one of the most expensive states in the U.S., especially for single individuals. According to a recent study by Smart Asset, a single person in California must earn at least $89,190 annually to live comfortably.
The study used data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator and applied the 50/30/20 budgeting method to determine this figure. The 50/30/20 rule divides a budget into three categories: 50% for essential expenses like rent and utilities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for savings or debt repayment.
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Salary Requirements in California Cities
The study found that while $89,190 is the baseline for comfortable living in cities like Bakersfield and Fresno, residents of more expensive cities need significantly more. For instance:
- Sacramento: $104,000
- Los Angeles: $104,000
- Irvine: Over $126,797
- San Diego: Over $122,803
California cities dominate the list of the top 10 most expensive cities for singles. Here are some examples:
- New York City: $138,570
- San Jose, CA: $136,739
- Irvine, CA: $126,797
- Santa Ana, CA: $126,797
- Boston, MA: $124,966
- San Diego, CA: $122,803
- Chula Vista, CA: $122,803
- San Francisco, CA: $119,558
- Seattle, WA: $119,392
- Oakland, CA: $118,768
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Comparatively Affordable Cities
In contrast, cities with a lower cost of living require significantly less to live comfortably. The study identified the following as having the lowest salary requirements:
- Houston, TX: $75,088
- El Paso, TX: $75,254
- Lubbock, TX: $75,379
- Toledo, OH: $77,501
- Laredo, TX: $78,458
- Milwaukee, WI: $79,664
- Lexington, KY: $79,997
- Tulsa, OK: $81,078
- Wichita, KS: $81,203
- Cleveland, OH: $81,786
On average, single adults in the 99 largest U.S. metro areas need about $96,500 annually to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
