With rising inflation and cost of living, one needs the cushion of a substantial income. This becomes especially true for someone living in some of the costliest cities in the US.
To live comfortably, a person usually needs enough money to cover necessities like housing and food while still having plenty left over for savings. According to a 2026 report by SmartAsset, the cost of a reasonable quality of life in major American cities is generally in the six-figure region.
This gallery ranks the 30 top US cities by the cost of a comfortable lifestyle. Click to reveal them.
All figures in USD.