How Much Income You Need to Live Comfortably in Every State in 2026

A six-figure salary used to sound like a pretty comfortable place to be. Depending on where you live, that may no longer be the case.

The cost of housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare and just about everything else can vary dramatically from one state to another. And there is a big difference between earning enough to cover the bills and earning enough to have money left over for a dinner out, an unexpected expense or retirement savings.

SmartAsset estimated how much a single adult with no children would need to earn to live comfortably in all 50 states in 2026. The study starts with basic-needs costs from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, then applies the 50/30/20 budgeting framework: 50% for necessities, 30% for discretionary spending and 20% for savings or debt repayment.

The difference is substantial. Hawaii tops the list at $129,002 a year, while West Virginia comes in lowest at $81,245. Even at the inexpensive end, living comfortably takes considerably more than simply scraping together enough to cover the basics.

Hawaii: $129,002

SmartAsset puts Hawaii at about $129,002 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Hawaii #1 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Massachusetts: $127,213

In Massachusetts, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $127,213 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #2 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

California: $126,797

A single adult in California would need an estimated $126,797 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #3 nationally, California sits above the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

New York: $124,342

The number for New York is about $124,342 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #4 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

New Jersey: $113,776

SmartAsset puts New Jersey at about $113,776 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks New Jersey #5 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Washington: $110,614

In Washington, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $110,614 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #6 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Oregon: $110,074

A single adult in Oregon would need an estimated $110,074 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #7 nationally, Oregon sits above the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Connecticut: $108,368

The number for Connecticut is about $108,368 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #8 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Colorado: $108,160

SmartAsset puts Colorado at about $108,160 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Colorado #9 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Maryland: $107,910

In Maryland, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $107,910 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #10 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

New Hampshire: $107,203

A single adult in New Hampshire would need an estimated $107,203 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #11 nationally, New Hampshire sits above the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Virginia: $106,995

The number for Virginia is about $106,995 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #12 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Rhode Island: $104,042

SmartAsset puts Rhode Island at about $104,042 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Rhode Island #13 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Alaska: $103,917

In Alaska, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $103,917 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #14 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Vermont: $103,667

A single adult in Vermont would need an estimated $103,667 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #15 nationally, Vermont sits above the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Maine: $102,918

The number for Maine is about $102,918 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #16 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Utah: $102,794

SmartAsset puts Utah at about $102,794 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Utah #17 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Arizona: $101,795

In Arizona, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $101,795 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #18 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Illinois: $101,587

A single adult in Illinois would need an estimated $101,587 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #19 nationally, Illinois sits above the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Montana: $100,797

The number for Montana is about $100,797 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #20 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Georgia: $100,714

SmartAsset puts Georgia at about $100,714 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Georgia #21 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Nevada: $100,506

In Nevada, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $100,506 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #22 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Florida: $100,214

A single adult in Florida would need an estimated $100,214 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #23 nationally, Florida sits above the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Delaware: $98,966

The number for Delaware is about $98,966 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #24 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Idaho: $98,176

SmartAsset puts Idaho at about $98,176 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Idaho #25 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Pennsylvania: $97,011

In Pennsylvania, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $97,011 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #26 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Minnesota: $96,970

A single adult in Minnesota would need an estimated $96,970 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #27 nationally, Minnesota sits below the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

North Carolina: $93,475

The number for North Carolina is about $93,475 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #28 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

South Carolina: $92,934

SmartAsset puts South Carolina at about $92,934 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks South Carolina #29 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Michigan: $91,811

In Michigan, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $91,811 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #30 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

New Mexico: $91,229

A single adult in New Mexico would need an estimated $91,229 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #31 nationally, New Mexico sits below the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Wisconsin: $91,021

The number for Wisconsin is about $91,021 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #32 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Indiana: $90,646

SmartAsset puts Indiana at about $90,646 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Indiana #33 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Texas: $90,563

In Texas, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $90,563 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #34 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Nebraska: $90,480

A single adult in Nebraska would need an estimated $90,480 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #35 nationally, Nebraska sits below the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Kansas: $89,981

The number for Kansas is about $89,981 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #36 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Tennessee: $89,898

SmartAsset puts Tennessee at about $89,898 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Tennessee #37 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Wyoming: $89,232

In Wyoming, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $89,232 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #38 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Iowa: $88,566

A single adult in Iowa would need an estimated $88,566 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #39 nationally, Iowa sits below the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Missouri: $88,483

The number for Missouri is about $88,483 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #40 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Alabama: $87,610

SmartAsset puts Alabama at about $87,610 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Alabama #41 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

Ohio: $87,360

In Ohio, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $87,360 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #42 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Oklahoma: $86,237

A single adult in Oklahoma would need an estimated $86,237 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #43 nationally, Oklahoma sits below the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Mississippi: $86,070

The number for Mississippi is about $86,070 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #44 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

North Dakota: $85,738

SmartAsset puts North Dakota at about $85,738 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks North Dakota #45 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

South Dakota: $85,405

In South Dakota, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $85,405 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #46 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

Louisiana: $84,739

A single adult in Louisiana would need an estimated $84,739 before taxes to hit SmartAsset’s definition of living comfortably in 2026. At #47 nationally, Louisiana sits below the midpoint of the 50-state list. This is a budgeting benchmark, not a promise that the same salary will feel equally comfortable in every city or household.

Kentucky: $84,074

The number for Kentucky is about $84,074 a year before taxes for a single adult with no children. That places the state #48 on SmartAsset’s 2026 list. The model uses the familiar 50/30/20 framework, so the target is meant to cover more than rent, groceries and transportation; it also leaves room for wants and saving.

Arkansas: $83,242

SmartAsset puts Arkansas at about $83,242 a year in pre-tax income for a single adult with no children to live comfortably in 2026. That ranks Arkansas #49 among the 50 states in this study. The figure is not a bare-minimum survival number: it assumes basic needs take half the budget, with the rest available for wants and savings or debt repayment.

West Virginia: $81,245

In West Virginia, the 2026 comfort threshold comes to roughly $81,245 in annual pre-tax income for one adult with no children, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the #50 highest figure in the country. The calculation builds on MIT basic-needs costs and then leaves room for discretionary spending plus savings or debt payments.

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