“Is my salary good for the US 2026” is a common question when you get a job offer, a promotion, or you’re planning a move. Because the US 2026 has big differences in hoUSing costs and taxes by state, it can be hard to know whether your income is low, average, or genuinely high. What feels “good” in Dallas can feel very different in New York or San Francisco.
In this guide, we’ll walk through practical salary ranges, what different incomes look like after tax, and how location changes the picture. Then you can plug your own numbers into our the US Take-Home Pay calculator for a personalised estimate.
1. What Do People Earn in the US 2026
the US has a wide spread of incomes depending on state, industry, and seniority. Instead of chasing one “perfect” average, a useful approach is to compare your salary to typical full-time earnings in your city and to your monthly essentials.
💡 Quick Definitions
Gross salary: your pay before deductions.
Net (take-home) pay: what you actually receive after federal/state tax, Social Security and Medicare, and any workplace deductions.
A salary can look high on paper, but the real question is what’s left after hoUSing, transport, groceries and debt. That’s why after-tax comparisons matter.
2. What Actually Counts as a “Good” Salary in the US 2026
There isn’t one number that works for everyone. But you can use bands to understand where you roughly sit. These are broad ranges, meant to be a quick benchmark for full-time work.
| Gross Salary (Full-Time) | How It Often Feels | Typical Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50,000 | Lower income for full-time | Entry-level roles, lower-paid sectors, or early career |
| $50,000–$70,000 | Lower to mid range | Can be fine in lower-cost areas; can feel tight in high-rent cities |
| $70,000–$95,000 | Solid for many regions | Often comfortable outside the highest-cost markets, depending on rent and debt |
| $95,000–$125,000 | Above average in many areas | Often considered a “good” salary for a single person in many states |
| $125,000–$170,000+ | High income for most | Strong household position, especially outside New York/San Francisco or with dual income |
For many people, salaries start to feel clearly “good” once they reach the $95,000–$125,000+ range. In high-cost cities, the “good” threshold often shifts upward because housing absorbs more of your income.
3. New York and San Francisco vs the Rest of the US 2026
New York and San Francisco tend to have higher salaries, but also some of the highest housing costs. It’s common for someone earning $100,000 in a high-cost city to feel similar day-to-day pressure to someone earning much less in a cheaper region.
Rough guide: what often feels “good” by area
- Lower-cost regions (many smaller cities): $80,000–$100,000 can feel solid for a single person, depending on housing.
- Mid-cost cities (varies by state): $90,000–$120,000 is often a strong income for a single person or couple without children.
- High-cost cities (New York, San Francisco): many people aim for $120,000–$150,000+ to feel comfortably ahead, especially if renting.
⚠️ Remember Cost of Living
A “good” salary is not just about what you earn. It’s about what’s left after housing, bills, transport and childcare. Two households on the same salary in different states can have completely different lifestyles.
4. After-Tax Reality: What Different Salaries Look Like in Your Pocket
In the US, your take-home pay is reduced by federal income tax, state income tax, and payroll deductions like Social Security and Medicare. Your exact net pay varies by state, credits, benefits, and workplace deductions.
Here are simplified ballpark ranges of what take-home can look like for common salary levels. use the calculator for a personalised estimate by state.
| Gross Salary | Approx. Take-Home (Year) | Approx. Take-Home (Month) |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | ~$45,000–$50,000 | ~$3,750–$4,150 |
| $80,000 | ~$60,000–$68,000 | ~$5,000–$5,650 |
| $100,000 | ~$72,000–$82,000 | ~$6,000–$6,850 |
| $120,000 | ~$85,000–$97,000 | ~$7,100–$8,100 |
🔢 Pro Tip
These are broad ranges because state tax rates and credits vary. For a precise estimate that reflects your state and deductions, use our Salary After Tax calculator.
5. Is Your Salary “Good” for Your Situation?
Whether a salary feels good depends on your housing costs, family size, and fixed commitments.
📍 Single person, renting
- Lower-cost areas: $60,000–$80,000 can be manageable if rent is reasonable.
- High-cost cities: many people feel they need closer to $90,000–$120,000+ to avoid feeling stretched.
👫 Couple without children
- Two incomes of $60,000–$80,000 each can be a strong household income in many regions.
- One income of $105,000–$130,000 can still be comfortable in many areas if housing costs are controlled.
👨👩👧 Families with children
- Childcare and housing can absorb a large share of income.
- In many areas, combined household income of $130,000–$190,000+ can be needed to feel comfortable, especially in higher-cost cities.
6. How to Make Your Salary Go Further
You may not be able to double your salary overnight, but you can often improve your effective income with smarter planning.
- Know your net pay: calculate after-tax income, then budget from that number.
- use workplace benefits: employer matching, health coverage and retirement plans can be worth thousands per year.
- Consider 401(k)/retirement contributions: contributions can change your tax position and improve long-term outcomes.
- Reduce the biggest fixed cost first: housing and car costs usually matter more than small daily spending.
- Upskill strategically: certifications and switching to higher-paying employers often moves you into the next income band faster.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- “Good salary” depends heavily on housing and your state or city.
- For many, $95,000–$125,000+ is where salary starts to feel clearly “good”.
- In New York and San Francisco, many people aim for $120,000–$150,000+ to feel similarly comfortable.
- After federal/state tax plus Social Security and Medicare, take-home can be significantly lower than gross pay.
- Focus on net income and fixed costs to judge what “good” means for you.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Is $60,000 a good salary in the US 2026
$60,000 can be a reasonable income in many parts of the US, especially for a single person outside the highest-cost cities. In New York and San Francisco, it may feel tight once rent and transport are covered.
Is $100,000 a good salary in the US 2026
Yes, $100,000 is a strong salary in the US overall. In many regions it can feel very comfortable, while in high-cost cities it is still strong but may require budgeting depending on housing and childcare.
How can I see if my salary is good for my exact situation?
The fastest way is to look at your after-tax income and compare it to your essential monthly costs (housing, bills, food, transport, debt and childcare). use our the US Take-Home Pay calculator 2026 to estimate net pay, then compare it against your monthly spending.
8. Final Thoughts
A “good” salary isn’t just a number, it’s how much freedom it gives you after essentials. Knowing your take-home pay and comparing it to your real costs helps you make better decisions about jobs, promotions and where to live.
Start by checking your true take-home pay, then build your budget around what you actually receive.