If you picture the map we shared last month ofthe minimal earnings required to subsist in each land , you already lie with it takes a reasonably satisfying income just to get by . Living well is an entirely dissimilar story . Financial services websiteGOBankingRates.comrecently conducted a cost - of - sustenance view for the 75 most populous cities in America , compare the salary it would take to survive comfortably with the actual average income .
GOBankingRates.com calculated their estimation based on the50 - 30 - 20 ruleof budgeting . The guideline states that 50 percent of what you make should get across all essentials like intellectual nourishment , shelter , transportation , and utilities . Of the remaining 50 percent , 20 per centum should be put away for savings and debt payments with the other 30 percent going towards life style disbursement like movies , vacation , gym rank , and meals out .
countenance ’s get down to it : According toPayScale , which study GOBankingRate.com ’s numbers , the five most expensive cities in the U.S. , are San Francisco , San Jose , New York , Boston , and Washington , D.C.

San Francisco was the most costly city by far , with an judge income of $ 119,570 required to afford a comfortable lifestyle . In reality , the average pay earned by San Francisco house physician is $ 78,378 , and while that may be enough to spread over economic rent and other necessities , it does n’t leave much for savings or entertainment cost .
Nearby San Jose claimed the act two spot , with a salary of $ 89,734 ask to live there well . Three major East Coast cities rounded out the sleep of the list , with an income of $ 87,446 needed to live well within your means in New York City , $ 84,422 for Boston , and $ 83,104 for residents of Washington , D.C.
For many professional , peculiarly those just bulge out , the 50 - 30 - 20 principle is a destination to strive towards . Still , it never injure to knowhow far your dollar will get youin your area the next clip you ’re negotiating earnings expectations .