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"Good" is relative. A $60,000 salary makes you comfortable in Memphis but barely covers rent in San Francisco. That is the problem with the question "what is a good salary?" — it depends entirely on where you live, your household size, your debt load, and your career stage.
This guide cuts through vague answers. We use Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, Census income figures, and cost-of-living indexes to give you actual numbers for your situation.
The Median Income Benchmark
The most useful starting point is the national median. According to BLS and Census Bureau data:
- Median individual income: approximately $44,000/year (all workers, full-time)
- Median household income: approximately $75,000/year
- Mean (average) individual income: approximately $63,000/year — pulled higher by top earners
If you earn above $44,000 as an individual, you are making more than half of American workers. But median only tells you where you stand relative to everyone else — it does not tell you if you can afford your life.
Good Salary by Region and City
Location is the single biggest factor in whether a salary feels "good." The same $70,000 salary has radically different purchasing power depending on where you live.
| City | Salary Needed for "Good" Life | Median Local Salary | Cost-of-Living Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $110,000+ | $72,000 | 179 |
| New York City, NY | $100,000+ | $68,000 | 187 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $90,000+ | $62,000 | 166 |
| Seattle, WA | $85,000+ | $65,000 | 158 |
| Denver, CO | $75,000+ | $58,000 | 128 |
| National average | $55,000-$65,000 | $44,000 | 100 |
| Dallas, TX | $60,000+ | $50,000 | 103 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,000+ | $48,000 | 106 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $55,000+ | $46,000 | 103 |
| Houston, TX | $55,000+ | $48,000 | 96 |
| Memphis, TN | $45,000+ | $40,000 | 83 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $42,000+ | $38,000 | 84 |
Cost-of-living index: 100 = national average. Data from BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey and C2ER Cost of Living Index.
A "good" salary in this table means enough for a single adult to cover rent, transportation, food, healthcare, save 15% of gross income, and have discretionary spending — without financial stress.
Good Salary by Age
Your career stage matters. A 22-year-old fresh out of college should not compare themselves to a 45-year-old at peak career earnings. Here are the BLS median earnings by age group for full-time workers:
| Age Group | Median Annual Income | "Good" (Above Average) | "Excellent" (Top 25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-24 | $34,000 | $40,000+ | $50,000+ |
| 25-34 | $48,000 | $58,000+ | $75,000+ |
| 35-44 | $57,000 | $70,000+ | $95,000+ |
| 45-54 | $58,000 | $72,000+ | $100,000+ |
| 55-64 | $55,000 | $68,000+ | $95,000+ |
| 65+ | $52,000 | $65,000+ | $88,000+ |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, annual averages.
Peak earning years are typically 45-54. If you are under 35 and earning above the 35-44 median, you are well ahead of the curve.
Family Size and Household Income
A $75,000 salary is generous for a single person in most cities. For a family of four, it is tight. The Pew Research Center defines income tiers based on household size:
| Household Size | Lower Income (Below) | Middle Income | Upper Income (Above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | Below $30,000 | $30,000 - $90,000 | Above $90,000 |
| 2 people | Below $42,000 | $42,000 - $127,000 | Above $127,000 |
| 3 people | Below $52,000 | $52,000 - $156,000 | Above $156,000 |
| 4 people | Below $60,000 | $60,000 - $180,000 | Above $180,000 |
| 5 people | Below $67,000 | $67,000 - $201,000 | Above $201,000 |
Adjusted using Pew Research Center methodology (square root of household size scaling). Figures are approximate for 2026.
For a family of four, you need roughly $60,000 just to clear the lower-income threshold nationally — and significantly more in expensive metro areas.
Income Percentile Breakdown
Here is where your individual income falls among all US workers:
| Annual Income | Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | 25th | You earn more than 1 in 4 workers |
| $35,000 | 40th | Below median, but above minimum wage earners |
| $44,000 | 50th | You are at the national median |
| $60,000 | 65th | Solidly above average |
| $75,000 | 75th | Top quarter of earners |
| $100,000 | 85th | Top 15% — well above most workers |
| $150,000 | 93rd | Top 7% |
| $200,000+ | 97th+ | Top 3% of individual earners |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salaries
The best way to evaluate your salary is to compare it against what that money actually buys locally. Here is what a $75,000 salary is "worth" in purchasing power in different cities:
| City | Nominal Salary | Equivalent Purchasing Power | State Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $75,000 | $41,900 | 9.3% |
| New York City, NY | $75,000 | $40,100 | 6.85% + city tax |
| Los Angeles, CA | $75,000 | $45,200 | 9.3% |
| National baseline | $75,000 | $75,000 | Varies |
| Dallas, TX | $75,000 | $72,800 | 0% |
| Houston, TX | $75,000 | $78,100 | 0% |
| Memphis, TN | $75,000 | $90,400 | 0% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $75,000 | $89,300 | 4.75% |
Notice the double advantage of low-cost, no-tax states: your dollar stretches further and you keep more of each paycheck. Use our Take-Home Pay Calculator to see exact after-tax numbers for any state.
Beyond the Number: Total Compensation
Base salary is only part of the picture. Total compensation includes:
- Health insurance: Employer-sponsored plans are worth $7,000-$22,000/year (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2025 survey)
- Retirement matching: A 4% 401(k) match on $75,000 is worth $3,000/year in free money
- Paid time off: 15 PTO days at $75K salary = roughly $4,300 in value
- Stock/equity: Common in tech — can add 20-50% to total comp at senior levels
- Other perks: HSA contributions, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits
A $65,000 salary with full benefits can be worth more than an $80,000 salary with none. Always evaluate the full package.
What does your salary actually pay per hour? Per paycheck? After taxes?
Try the Salary to Hourly Calculator →How to Evaluate Your Own Salary
Here is a practical framework to decide if your salary is "good enough":
- Calculate your take-home pay. Use our Paycheck Calculator to see what actually hits your bank account after federal, state, and FICA taxes.
- Apply the 50/30/20 rule. Can you cover needs (housing, food, insurance, minimum debt payments) with 50% of take-home? If not, your salary may be too low for your cost of living.
- Check your savings rate. Are you saving at least 15% of gross income for retirement? If your salary forces you to choose between rent and retirement, it is not enough for your area.
- Compare locally, not nationally. Use BLS regional data or Glassdoor salary tools for your specific city and job title.
- Factor in trajectory. A $42,000 salary at 23 with fast promotion potential is better than $55,000 at 23 in a dead-end role.
The Bottom Line
A "good" salary in 2026 is one that lets you:
- Cover all basic living expenses without stress
- Save at least 15% of gross income for retirement
- Maintain a 3-6 month emergency fund
- Have some discretionary spending for quality of life
- Make progress toward your financial goals (home ownership, debt payoff, investing)
For most single adults in average-cost areas, that number starts around $55,000-$65,000. For a family of four, it starts around $85,000-$100,000. In expensive coastal cities, add 40-80% to those figures.
The national median of $44,000 is a benchmark, not a goal. If you are at or near the median, you are not behind — but you have room to grow, and the tools on this site can help you understand exactly where every dollar goes.