Salary Needed to Live Comfortably Varies Across Texas Cities

Living paycheck to paycheck is a struggle. While cost-of-living metrics account for price increases, they often overlook the costs needed to live comfortably and escape the cycle. So, what's the magic number to live comfortably in Texas' major cities?

A study by SmartAsset analyzed 99 US cities through the lens of the 50/30/20 budget rule. The rule breaks down spending as follows: 50% on needs (housing, groceries, transport), 30% on wants (entertainment, hobbies), and 20% on financial goals (debt, savings, investing).

Texas Cities with the Lowest Salaries for Comfortable Living

Houston, ranked #1, offers comfortable living on a wage of $36.10/hour or $75,088 annually. For a family of four, that number rises to $175,219.

• El Paso: $36.18/hour or $75,254 annually.
• Lubbock: $36.24/hour or $75,379 annually.
• Laredo: $37.71/hour or $78,458 annually.

The Rising Costs of Other Texas Cities

• Corpus Christi (15th): $39.66/hour, $82,493 annually, or $192,275 for a family of four.
• San Antonio: Over $40/hour, ~$85,000 annually, and $200,000 for a family.
• Dallas, Plano, Irving, Garland: $4 higher than San Antonio's rates, ~$91,700 annually, and $208,000 for a family.
• Fort Worth, Arlington: $45.56/hour or $94,765 annually, with a family income of $214,490.
• Austin: The most expensive in Texas, requiring $47.96/hour, $99,757 annually, and $223,891 for a family without the burden of paycheck-to-paycheck living.

It's clear that the cost of comfortable living varies significantly across Texas, with Houston offering the most affordable options and Austin being the priciest.

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