How Much You Need To Make To Live in the Most Expensive City in Every State

Cost-of-living expenses in many American cities exceed what many households can afford. Average inflation outpaced wage growth in April 2021 and peaked in June 2022, according to Statista . It began declining in July 2022 and dropped below wage growth in February 2023. Homelessness increased six percent between 2017 and 2022, hitting the highest numbers it’s been in known history, and many younger people are being priced out of home ownership , reported CNN . The Harvard Research Center found that renters spent significant portions of their income on housing and utilities in 2021 and 2022, and though the numbers dropped in 2023, recovery is challenging.

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GOBankingRates considered the data from Sperling’s BestPlaces, the U.S. Census American Community Survey and the Zillow Home Value Index and compiled this list of the most expensive cities in every state to see how each stacks up. The Federal Reserve Economic Data on the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage and the Bureau of Labor Statistics information on average budget expenditures also factored into the numbers.

Below, you’ll find out what salary you need to earn to live comfortably in the most expensive city in every state. Though it’s not part of any U.S. state, Washington, D.C., is one of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country and is included here. While this high-priced list includes some of the usual suspects (looking at you, New York), some of these cities may surprise you.

51. Perry, Iowa

• Population total: 7, 875
• Household total: 3,188
• Average home value: $150,465
• Average mortgage payment: $896
• Average monthly expenses: $1,869
• Cost-of-living index: 95.5
• Annual total cost of living: $33,184
• Median annual income: $57,276
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $66,368

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50. Canton, Mississippi

• Population total: 11,951
• Household total: 4,502
• Average home value: $214,984
• Average mortgage payment: $1,281
• Average monthly expenses: $1,863
• Cost-of-living index: 93.2
• Annual total cost of living: $37,724
• Median annual income: $33,411
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $75,448

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49. Guthrie, Oklahoma

• Population total: 10,872
• Household total: 3,584
• Average home value: $227,632
• Average mortgage payment: $1,356
• Average monthly expenses: $2,005
• Cost-of-living index: 93.2
• Annual total cost of living: $40,331
• Median annual income: $55,405
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $80,662

48. Siler City, North Carolina

• Population total: 7,847
• Household total: 2,805
• Average home value: $253,168
• Average mortgage payment: $1,508
• Average monthly expenses: $1,962
• Cost-of-living index: 119.2
• Annual total cost of living: $41,639
• Median annual income: $48,374
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $83,279

47. Bellevue, Nebraska

• Population total: 63,336
• Household total: 24,444
• Average home value: $284,885
• Average mortgage payment: $1,697
• Average monthly expenses: $1,995
• Cost-of-living index: 95.2
• Annual total cost of living: $44,309
• Median annual income: $79,839
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $88,617

46. Alabaster, Alabama

• Population total: 33,417
• Household total: 11,976
• Average home value: $296,243
• Average mortgage payment: $1,765
• Average monthly expenses: $2,088
• Cost-of-living index: 100.1
• Annual total cost of living: $46,234
• Median annual income: $89,423
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $92,468

45. Bella Vista, Arkansas

• Population total: 30,297
• Household total: 12,531
• Average home value: $329,091
• Average mortgage payment: $1,961
• Average monthly expenses: $1,911
• Cost-of-living index: 91.6
• Annual total cost of living: $46,460
• Median annual income: $83,989
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $92,919

44. Bristol, Pennsylvania

• Population total: 9,862
• Household total: 41,46
• Average home value: $308,622
• Average mortgage payment: $1,839
• Average monthly expenses: $2,123
• Cost-of-living index: 119.7
• Annual total cost of living: $47,538
• Median annual income: $67,176
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $95,076

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43. Edgewood, New Mexico

• Population total: 6,113
• Household total: 2,220
• Average home value: $356,424
• Average mortgage payment: $2,123
• Average monthly expenses: $1,849
• Cost-of-living index: 112
• Annual total cost of living: $47,667
• Median annual income: $70,568
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $95,335

42. Bismarck, North Dakota

• Population total: 73,694
• Household total: 31,716
• Average home value: $367,062
• Average mortgage payment: $2,187
• Average monthly expenses: $1,796
• Cost-of-living index: 95.2
• Annual total cost of living: $47,796
• Median annual income: $76,014
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $95,591

41. Box Elder, South Dakota

• Population total: 11,905
• Household total: 4,120
• Average home value: $339,652
• Average mortgage payment: $2,023
• Average monthly expenses: $2,064
• Cost-of-living index: 97.8
• Annual total cost of living: $49,045
• Median annual income: $71,532
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $98,090

40. Georgetown, Delaware

• Population total: 7,247
• Household total: 2,437
• Average home value: $353,223
• Average mortgage payment: $2,104
• Average monthly expenses: $2,018
• Cost-of-living index: 108.1
• Annual total cost of living: $49,465
• Median annual income: $47,238
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $98,929

39. La Grange, Kentucky

• Population total: 10,073
• Household total: 3,684
• Average home value: $367,715
• Average mortgage payment: $2,191
• Average monthly expenses: $1,981
• Cost-of-living index: 107.1
• Annual total cost of living: $50,065
• Median annual income: $72,265
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $100,129

38. Addison, Illinois

• Population total: 35,685
• Household total: 13,067
• Average home value: $352,487
• Average mortgage payment: $2,100
• Average monthly expenses: $2,075
• Cost-of-living index: 108.1
• Annual total cost of living: $50,098
• Median annual income: $82,547
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $100,197

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37. Belle Chasse, Louisiana

• Population total: 10,781
• Household total: 3,794
• Average home value: $351,854
• Average mortgage payment: $2,037
• Average monthly expenses: $2,144
• Cost-of-living index: 105.3
• Annual total cost of living: $50,171
• Median annual income: $92,059
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $100,342

36. Delaware, Ohio

• Population total: 41,926
• Household total: 16,026
• Average home value: $394,118
• Average mortgage payment: $2,348
• Average monthly expenses: $1,963
• Cost-of-living index: 111.9
• Annual total cost of living: $51,730
• Median annual income: $86,387
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $103,460

35. De Soto, Kansas

• Population total: 6,248
• Household total: 2,220
• Average home value: $395,593
• Average mortgage payment: $2,357
• Average monthly expenses: $2,016
• Cost-of-living index: 106.2
• Annual total cost of living: $52,479
• Median annual income: $102,685
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $104,957

34. Gardnerville Ranchos, Nevada

• Median income: $86,556
• Income needed if you’re a homeowner: $122,078
• Population total: 12,057
• Household total: 4,549
• Average home value: $420,000
• Average mortgage payment: $2,502
• Average monthly expenses: $2,005
• Cost-of-living index: 129.3
• Annual total cost of living: $54,084
• Median annual income: $76,917
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $108,168

33. Brighton, Michigan

• Population total: 7,486
• Household total: 3,677
• Average home value: $427,659
• Average mortgage payment: $2,548
• Average monthly expenses: $2,070
• Cost-of-living index: 109.7
• Annual total cost of living: $55,417
• Median annual income: $74,022
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $110,835

32. Charles Town, West Virginia

• Population total: 6,584
• Household total: 2,553
• Average home value: $383,408
• Average mortgage payment: $2,284
• Average monthly expenses: $2,358
• Cost-of-living index: 111.2
• Annual total cost of living: $55,709
• Median annual income: $83,275
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $111,418

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31. Brunswick, Maine

• Population total: 16,725
• Household total: 6,799
• Average home value: $499,854
• Average mortgage payment: $2,978
• Average monthly expenses: $1,904
• Cost-of-living index: 112.5
• Annual total cost of living: $58,583
• Median annual income: $66,696
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $117,165

30. Brookfield, Wisconsin

• Population total: 41,342
• Household total: 16,060
• Average home value: $495,794
• Average mortgage payment: $2,954
• Average monthly expenses: $2,020
• Cost-of-living index: 107.3
• Annual total cost of living: $59,685
• Median annual income: $121,837
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $119,369

29. Sitka, Alaska

• Population total: 8,462
• Household total: 3,459
• Average home value: $487,707
• Average mortgage payment: $2,906
• Average monthly expenses: $2,188
• Cost-of-living index: 119.3
• Annual total cost of living: $61,121
• Median annual income: $95,261
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $122,242

28. Aspen Hill, Maryland

• Population total: 54,262
• Household total: 17,369
• Average home value: $476,500
• Average mortgage payment: $2,839
• Average monthly expenses: $2,298
• Cost-of-living index: 138.5
• Annual total cost of living: $61,637
• Median annual income: $104,582
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $123,274

27. Chanhassen, Minnesota

• Population total: 25,868
• Household total: 9,578
• Average home value: $535,167
• Average mortgage payment: $3,188
• Average monthly expenses: $1,958
• Cost-of-living index: 112.9
• Annual total cost of living: $61,751
• Median annual income: $131,633
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $123,501

26. Derry, New Hampshire

• Population total: 23,027
• Household total: 9,275
• Average home value: $521,599
• Average mortgage payment: $3,107
• Average monthly expenses: $2,073
• Cost-of-living index: 118.9
• Annual total cost of living: $62,171
• Median annual income: $83,750
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $124,341

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25. Carmel, Indiana

• Population total: 99,453
• Household total: 37,888
• Average home value: $554,508
• Average mortgage payment: $3,304
• Average monthly expenses: $1,942
• Cost-of-living index: 106
• Annual total cost of living: $62,949
• Median annual income: $132,859
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $125,899

24. Belgrade, Montana

• Population total: 10,941
• Household total: 4,402
• Average home value: $567,298
• Average mortgage payment: $3,380
• Average monthly expenses: $1,882
• Cost-of-living index: 125.7
• Annual total cost of living: $63,141
• Median annual income: $82,769
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $126,282

23. Charleston, South Carolina

• Population total: 149,960
• Household total: 65,198
• Average home value: $576,269
• Average mortgage payment: $3,433
• Average monthly expenses: $1,982
• Cost-of-living index: 112
• Annual total cost of living: $64,976
• Median annual income: $83,891
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $129,953

22. Austin, Texas

• Median income: $115,179

• Population total: 958,202
• Household total: 423,079
• Average home value: $578,348
• Average mortgage payment: $3,446
• Average monthly expenses: $2,056
• Cost-of-living index: 129.1
• Annual total cost of living: $66,024
• Median annual income: $86,556
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $132,047

21. Parkville, Missouri

• Population total: 7,669
• Household total: 2,680
• Average home value: $596,329
• Average mortgage payment: $3,553
• Average monthly expenses: $1,980
• Cost-of-living index: 98.4
• Annual total cost of living: $66,394
• Median annual income: $166,563
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $132,788

20. Canby, Oregon

• Median income:
• Population total: 18,127
• Household total: 6,836
• Average home value: $585,622
• Average mortgage payment: $3,489
• Average monthly expenses: $2,065
• Cost-of-living index: 133.7
• Annual total cost of living: $66,641
• Median annual income: $91,823
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $133,283

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19. Bethel, Connecticut

• Population total: 11,551
• Household total: 4,634
• Average home value: $538,453
• Average mortgage payment: $3,208
• Average monthly expenses: $2,448
• Cost-of-living index: 138.6
• Annual total cost of living: $67,869
• Median annual income: $79,500
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $135,738

18. Cumming, Georgia

• Population total: 7,371
• Household total: 2,708
• Average home value: $612,721
• Average mortgage payment: $3,650
• Average monthly expenses: $2,060
• Cost-of-living index: 121.9
• Annual total cost of living: $68,519
• Median annual income: $71,855
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $137,038

17. Burlington, Vermont

• Population total: 44,646
• Household total: 17,448
• Average home value: $554,563
• Average mortgage payment: $3,304
• Average monthly expenses: $2,501
• Cost-of-living index: 112.4
• Annual total cost of living: $69,661
• Median annual income: $64,931
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $139,321

16. Bergenfield, New Jersey

• Population total: 28,223
• Household total: 9,306
• Average home value: $585,064
• Average mortgage payment: $3,486
• Average monthly expenses: $2,372
• Cost-of-living index: 141
• Annual total cost of living: $70,289
• Median annual income: $121,738
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $140,578

15. Auburn, Washington

• Population total: 85,623
• Household total: 30,987
• Average home value: $629,829
• Average mortgage payment: $3,752
• Average monthly expenses: $2,159
• Cost-of-living index: 158.1
• Annual total cost of living: $70,932
• Median annual income: $87,406
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $141,863

14. Flagstaff, Arizona

• Population total: 76,177
• Household total: 27,062
• Average home value: $688,011
• Average mortgage payment: $4,099
• Average monthly expenses: $1,947
• Cost-of-living index: 116.2
• Annual total cost of living: $72,545
• Median annual income: $65,652
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $145,089

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13. Washington, D.C.

• Median income: $58,73
• Population total: 670,587
• Household total: 315,785
• Average home value: $733,917
• Average mortgage payment: $4,372
• Average monthly expenses: $2,342
• Cost-of-living index: 151.9
• Annual total cost of living: $80,567
• Median annual income: $101,722
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $161,135

12. Hailey, Idaho

• Population total: 9,238
• Household total: 3,250
• Average home value: $877,002
• Average mortgage payment: $5,225
• Average monthly expenses: $1,847
• Cost-of-living index: 134.2
• Annual total cost of living: $84,866
• Median annual income: $77,035
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $169,732

11. Big Coppitt Key, Florida

• Population total: 3,188
• Household total: 1,149
• Average home value: $828,397
• Average mortgage payment: $4,935
• Average monthly expenses: $2,249
• Cost-of-living index: 148.2
• Annual total cost of living: $86,210
• Median annual income: $102,943
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $172,421

10. Falls Church, Virginia

• Population total: 14,576
• Household total: 5,740
• Average home value: $859,909
• Average mortgage payment: $5,123
• Average monthly expenses: $2,257
• Cost-of-living index: 177
• Annual total cost of living: $88,560
• Median annual income: $164,536
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $177,120

9. New York, New York

• Median income: $76,332
• Population total: 8,622,467
• Household total: 3,282,404
• Average home value: $777,820
• Average mortgage payment: $4,634
• Average monthly expenses: $2,911
• Cost-of-living index: 172.5
• Annual total cost of living: $90,537
• Median annual income: $76,607
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $181,074

8. Newport, Rhode Island

• Population total: 25,087
• Household total: 10,645
• Average home value: $930,043
• Average mortgage payment: $5,541
• Average monthly expenses: $2,024
• Cost-of-living index: 130.3
• Annual total cost of living: $90,781
• Median annual income: $81,330
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $181,562

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7. Ahuimanu, Hawaii

• Population total: 9,177
• Household total: 2,966
• Average home value: $829,000
• Average mortgage payment: $4,939
• Average monthly expenses: $2,765
• Cost-of-living index: 171.5
• Annual total cost of living: $92,446
• Median annual income: $124,018
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $84,893

6. Brentwood, Tennessee

• Population total: 44,830
• Household total: 14,880
• Average home value: $1,304,325
• Average mortgage payment: $7,771
• Average monthly expenses: $2,049
• Cost-of-living index: 139.4
• Annual total cost of living: $117,837
• Median annual income: $181,576
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $235,673

5. Park City, Utah

• Population total: 8,379
• Household total: 2,876
• Average home value: $2,091,227
• Average mortgage payment: $12,459
• Average monthly expenses: $1,910
• Cost-of-living index: 169
• Annual total cost of living: $172,427
• Median annual income: $132,315
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $344,854

4. Jackson, Wyoming

• Population total: 10,748
• Household total: 4,352
• Average home value: $2,402,353
• Average mortgage payment: $14,312
• Average monthly expenses: $2,144
• Cost-of-living index: 180.9
• Annual total cost of living: $197,471
• Median annual income: $101,477
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $394,943

3. Nantucket, Massachusetts

• Population total: 10,479
• Household total: 3,261
• Average home value: $2,973,334
• Average mortgage payment: $17,714
• Average monthly expenses: $2,114
• Cost-of-living index: 258
• Annual total cost of living: $237,931
• Median annual income: $131,736
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $475,862

2. Atherton, California

• Population total: 7,124
• Household total: 2,183
• Average home value: $7,693,373
• Average mortgage payment: $45,834
• Average monthly expenses: $2,511
• Cost-of-living index: 250
• Annual total cost of living: $580,137
• Median annual income: $250,000
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $1,160,273

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1. Aspen, Colorado

• Population total: 6,952
• Household total: 3,746
• Average home value: $9,117,498
• Average mortgage payment: $54,318
• Average monthly expenses: $1,886
• Cost-of-living index: 220.4
• Annual total cost of living: $674,448
• Median annual income: $94,338
• Annual salary needed to live comfortably: $1,348,897

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : How Much You Need To Make To Live in the Most Expensive City in Every State