What city does 100K go the furthest?

Asked by: Precious Jerde  |  Last update: September 22, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (49 votes)

$100k goes furthest in El Paso, TX. With no state or local income taxes and a 12% discount on cost of living, a $100k income equates to $88,840 of purchasing power. Four other Texas cities made the top 10, including Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Lubbock and Houston.

Where does 100k go the furthest?

The top 10 U.S. cities where a $100,000 salary goes the furthest—half are in Texas. Residential district in El Paso, Texas looking southwest into Juarez, Mexico and the mountain range of Sierra de Juarez.

How rare is a 100k salary?

A $100,000 salary is considered good in most parts of the country, and can cover typical expenses, pay down debt, build savings, and allow for entertainment and hobbies. According to the U.S. Census, only 15.3% of American households make more than $100,000 annually.

Where is $100,000 worth the least?

SmartAsset found that $100,000 has the lowest purchasing power — just $30,914 — in New York City. That's far lower than the second-lowest city, Honolulu, where $100,000 is worth roughly $39,000.

Is 100k considered wealthy?

Middle class is defined as income that is two-thirds to double the national median income, or $47,189 and $141,568. By that definition, $100,000 is considered middle class. Keep in mind that those figures are for the nation. Each state has a different range of numbers to be considered middle class.

9 cities where your paycheck goes the furthest

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Where can you live on 100k a year?

$100k goes furthest in El Paso, TX.

With no state or local income taxes and a 12% discount on cost of living, a $100k income equates to $88,840 of purchasing power. Four other Texas cities made the top 10, including Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Lubbock and Houston.

Can you live comfortably on 100k a year?

The answer is yes. There's a city in every state where that much money allows for comfortable living. GOBankingRates analyzed data from several sources, including AreaVibes, Sperling's Best Places and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to compile the best places to live on a $100,000 salary in each state.

In what state does money go the furthest?

Generally speaking, dollars go furthest in states in the Southeast and Midwest parts of the country. Go to places like Arkansas or South Dakota, and you'll see higher purchasing power.

Where is the safest place to put $100k?

Savings Accounts, MMAs and CDs

Instead, look for a high-interest savings account, typically with an online financial institution. Another safe place to park your money is in a certificate of deposit (CD). A CD has a set term, ranging from a month to up to 10 years.

Can a family of four live on 100k a year?

If you're raising a family of four in 2024, you'll need a six-figure income in 26 U.S. states. That's more than half of America where you'll need to earn $100,000 or more annually to budget for and comfortably raise a family.

How common is a 6 figure salary?

It may surprise you to know that making 6 figures is hardly the norm in the US—even on the lower end of the range. According to the US Census, about 16% of American households make between $100,000 and $149,999, 9% of households make between $150,000 and $199,999, and another 12% earn $200,000 or more.

What salary is considered upper class?

While there's no definitive line, households in the top 20% of earners are generally considered upper class. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2022 was $74,580. To reach the upper class in 2024, you'd typically need an income exceeding $153,000 – more than double the national median.

Can you live off 100K for life?

$100,000 is a major savings milestone, but it's unlikely to be enough to get you through retirement—especially in the US. If you have no debt, plan to keep a part-time or consulting job, and have enough in Social Security benefits, it's possible to make $100,000 for a short retirement timeframe.

How many people in the US have 100K cash?

According to a recent GOBankingRates survey, only 14% of adults have saved $100,000 or more for retirement. This figure is concerning, especially considering that 78% of Americans have saved $50,000 or less. Even more alarming is that nearly 37% of respondents indicated they haven't started saving for retirement.

Where do US dollars go the farthest?

Asia leads the list of regions with the most favorable exchange rates this year, followed by South America. Bali, Indonesia, ranks among this year's most value-packed destinations.

Is a 100k salary good in Texas?

What's considered a “good” salary in Texas depends on your household size and lifestyle, but most Texans make between $45,000 and $100,000 annually. Texas cities have differing costs of living, of course — Austin is much pricier than Amarillo — so where you live in the Lone Star State also matters.

Is 100K considered rich?

Is Earning $100,000 Considered Rich? Earning $100,000 is not considered rich either. You are considered middle class to lower middle class in expensive coastal cities. $100,000 is considered upper middle class in lower cost areas of the country.

Where can I live on 100K?

Top 10 where $100,000 is worth the most
  • El Paso, Texas: $88,840.
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: $87,585.
  • Memphis, Tennessee: $86,960.
  • Corpus Christi, Texas: $86,383.
  • San Antonio, Texas: $85,625.
  • Lubbock, Texas: $85,065.
  • Tulsa, Oklahoma: $84,507.
  • Jacksonville, Florida: $83,878.

Is 100K the new middle class?

Is $100,000 Salary a Middle Class Income? This depends on your household size and location. For a single individual, $100,000 would actually put you in the upper-income level in most places. For household sizes between two and four, $100,000 a year would put you squarely in the middle class.

What is the best place to put 100k?

Investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and CDs are a good way to use cash. Real estate can be a rewarding option with the potential for generous profits. CDs and high-yielding savings accounts are viable options for the risk-averse.

Where in the world can I live comfortably on $1000 a month?

Retiring abroad on $1,000 per month doesn't mean sacrificing quality of life. Many countries offer excellent health care, infrastructure and amenities at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. The cheapest places to retire abroad include Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam.

How many Americans making over 100k live paycheck to paycheck?

Related Video. It appears that a six-figure salary isn't even enough to stave off feelings of discomfort. What used to be a signal of financial success is no longer making the bank, as 48% of those earning $100,000 or more a year say they're living paycheck to paycheck.