Texas Cities Make Top Five for Lowest Salaries Needed to 'Live Comfortably'

SAN ANGELO, TX – Four cities in Texas were identified among the top five U.S. cities requiring the lowest salaries to live comfortably. 

This is according to a study conducted by SmartAsset, a platform providing consumer-focused financial information and advice,

The findings spotlight Houston, El Paso, Lubbock, and Laredo as offering some of the most affordable living conditions in the nation for both single adults and families.

Houston leads the list with a required hourly wage of $36.10 for a single adult, translating to an annual salary of $75,088. For two working adults with two children, the combined salary needed rises to $175,219.

El Paso and Lubbock follow closely, with required annual salaries for a single adult at $75,254 and $75,379, respectively.

Laredo ranks fifth, necessitating an hourly wage of $37.72 for a single adult, which amounts to an annual salary of $78,458.

Toledo, Ohio, disrupts the Texas dominance by securing the fourth spot, indicating an annual salary requirement of $77,501 for single adults to live comfortably.

In contrast, the study also revealed the top ten cities with the highest salaries needed for a comfortable life. New York City tops this list, demanding an hourly wage of $66.62 for a single adult, which equates to an annual salary of $138,570.

The substantial cost of living in cities like San Jose, Irvine, and Boston further underscores the financial challenges faced by residents in these areas, with families needing to earn upwards of $300,000 to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Particularly high income requirements are noted in cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, and New York City, where two working adults must earn between $316,243 and $339,123 combined to comfortably support a family of four.

New York City is highlighted for its high cost of living for single individuals, necessitating an estimated $70,000 in wages merely to cover necessities.