09/21/2026
In which states does it cost the most to live “comfortably” as a single person? What about the least?
Visual Capitalist, using data from SmartAsset, calculated the amounts using the budgeting rule of 50/30/20. (The needs/wants/savings budget guideline refers to using 50% of earnings to cover necessities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for savings or other financial goals.)
The data showed that a single person requires more than $100,000 in pre-tax income to live in 23 states in the U.S. The definition of “comfortable” for this study means: “income must cover basic needs while still leaving room for discretionary spending and saving money, rather than simply meeting essential expenses,” Visual Capitalist said.
“Hawaii requires the highest income at $129,002, while West Virginia has the lowest threshold at $81,245,” Visual Capitalist said.
