Determining what constitutes a good salary for a single person can be tricky. Wages and cost of living vary greatly depending on your location. What may be a decent paycheck in one state may not go far at all in another.
In this article, we will define salary benchmarks for singles based on typical living expenses and provide breakdowns by U.S. state. Read on to find out the key factors that determine a good wage no matter where you live!
Table of Contents
How to Define a Good Salary for a Single Person
When evaluating pay as a single person, here are 3 key considerations:
1. Basic Necessity Expenses
At minimum, your salary should cover basic costs like:
- Housing – rent or mortgage
- Transportation – car payment, insurance, gas
- Food
- Healthcare – insurance, prescriptions
- Utilities – electricity, water, phone
Aim for a salary that comfortably covers these baseline needs.
2. Lifestyle Expenses
Next, factor in other common expenses like:
- Entertainment – dining out, movies, concerts
- Travel/vacation
- Shopping – clothing, personal care items
- Savings – emergency fund, retirement
Determine what lifestyle is important to you and ensure your pay allows for those activities. Don’t forget to budget for savings as well.
3. State and Local Cost of Living
Finally, adjust for where you live. The same salary may have vastly different purchasing power in high cost areas like New York City versus lower cost cities like Memphis. Location matters.
Now let’s examine average salaries for singles based on typical budgets and expenses.
Average Salaries for Singles by State
Here are the benchmark salaries that are considered “good” for singles in each state based on overall cost of living. These amounts represent solid middle-class wages.
| State | Good Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,000 |
| Alaska | $45,000 |
| Arizona | $40,000 |
| Arkansas | $35,000 |
| California | $55,000 |
| Colorado | $45,000 |
| Connecticut | $50,000 |
| Delaware | $40,000 |
| Florida | $40,000 |
| Georgia | $40,000 |
| Hawaii | $50,000 |
| Idaho | $35,000 |
| Illinois | $45,000 |
| Indiana | $40,000 |
| Iowa | $40,000 |
| Kansas | $40,000 |
| Kentucky | $35,000 |
| Louisiana | $35,000 |
| Maine | $40,000 |
| Maryland | $50,000 |
| Massachusetts | $55,000 |
| Michigan | $40,000 |
| Minnesota | $45,000 |
| Mississippi | $35,000 |
| Missouri | $35,000 |
| Montana | $35,000 |
| Nebraska | $40,000 |
| Nevada | $40,000 |
| New Hampshire | $45,000 |
| New Jersey | $50,000 |
| New Mexico | $35,000 |
| New York | $60,000 |
| North Carolina | $40,000 |
| North Dakota | $40,000 |
| Ohio | $35,000 |
| Oklahoma | $35,000 |
| Oregon | $45,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,000 |
| Rhode Island | $45,000 |
| South Carolina | $35,000 |
| South Dakota | $35,000 |
| Tennessee | $35,000 |
| Texas | $40,000 |
| Utah | $40,000 |
| Vermont | $40,000 |
| Virginia | $45,000 |
| Washington | $50,000 |
| West Virginia | $35,000 |
| Wisconsin | $40,000 |
| Wyoming | $40,000 |
As you can see, salaries considered “good” vary significantly by state based on average cost of living. High cost states like California and New York require $55-60k+ for a single person to live comfortably. Meanwhile, lower cost southern and midwest states fall closer to $35-40k.
Location is key – a $50k salary goes a lot further in Ohio than it does in Hawaii, for example. Now let’s break down typical budgets for singles in some sample states.
Sample Budgets for Single People
To give a more detailed view, here are estimated monthly budgets for single people in three different states:
California Budget (San Francisco)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1 bedroom apartment) | $2,500 |
| Groceries | $550 |
| Dining/Entertainment | $700 |
| Car Payment | $350 |
| Car Insurance | $100 |
| Gas | $150 |
| Health Insurance | $400 |
| Gym Membership | $70 |
| Cell Phone | $100 |
| Utilities | $150 |
| Total | $5,070 |
To comfortably afford these basic living expenses in San Francisco, a good salary would be around $70,000 annually. And this budget doesn’t include savings or travel. Big city living is expensive!
Texas Budget (Houston)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1 bedroom apartment) | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $400 |
| Dining/Entertainment | $500 |
| Car Payment | $300 |
| Car Insurance | $100 |
| Gas | $120 |
| Health Insurance | $350 |
| Gym Membership | $40 |
| Cell Phone | $80 |
| Utilities | $200 |
| Total | $3,290 |
In Houston, that same budget is much more affordable. A salary in the $45,000 range would provide a similar middle-class lifestyle.
Ohio Budget (Columbus)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1 bedroom apartment) | $800 |
| Groceries | $350 |
| Dining/Entertainment | $400 |
| Car Payment | $250 |
| Car Insurance | $90 |
| Gas | $100 |
| Health Insurance | $300 |
| Gym Membership | $30 |
| Cell Phone | $70 |
| Utilities | $150 |
| Total | $2,540 |
Finally, for Ohio, a salary around $35,000 gives you comparable purchasing power and amenities. Location clearly makes a huge impact on how far your paycheck will go as a single person!
While these are estimates, it shows how vastly salary requirements can differ across the country based on local costs. Understanding your own typical expenses is key.
Additional Factors That Impact a Good Salary
Some other considerations that affect your definition of a “good” wage include:
- Job/career – some fields naturally pay higher wages
- Education level – higher degrees often lead to increased pay
- Years of experience – salary tends to rise with more experience
- Cost of living increases – inflation drives up living costs every year
Make sure to factor in these elements as well when evaluating what pay makes sense for your situation. Also consider that needed income tends to be higher if you have:
- Student loan debt – extra debt payments
- Medical issues – higher healthcare costs
- Children – childcare and education expenses
Questions to Ask When Determining a Good Salary
If you are unsure what earnings qualify as good wages given your circumstances, ask yourself:
- Can I pay all my monthly bills and living costs?
- Do I have money left over for savings and fun?
- Can I afford to handle emergencies like car repairs?
- Can I contribute to retirement accounts?
- Can I take a vacation each year?
If the salary allows you to answer “yes” to those questions, it likely provides a solid middle-class lifestyle for a single person.
Conclusion
Defining a “good salary” depends primarily on your current expenses and desired lifestyle. A wage that allows you to cover necessities, enjoy some leisure activities, and save each month is generally a good target for singles.
Where you live is the biggest factor that will raise or lower required earnings. Use this article as a guide, understand your own budgets, and adjust based on location and job market when evaluating potential pay. With the right income, you can thrive financially as a single person!