Kept

Salary reality

Is $100,000 a good salary in 2026?

Yes nationally — $100,000 is still a strong individual salary in 2026 — but it is only a solid single-renter wage in cities with a cost-of-living index near or below 120. In San Francisco, New York, and Boston, $100k is a stretch once rent and tax are paid.

Nationally, $100k is still upper-middle for one earner

Median household income in the US is still well below $100,000. That comparison is also misleading: households often have two earners, and $100k in Manhattan is not $100k in Cleveland. Kept’s city pages ask a narrower question: can a single renter cover typical one-bedroom rent at 30% of gross and still look like a “comfortable” budget after local prices?

Tax takes $18k–$28k before rent

A single W-2 earner at $100,000 keeps roughly $75,000–$82,000 after federal, FICA, and state tax depending on the state. That is $6,250–$6,800 a month. A $3,300 San Francisco studio already breaks the 30% housing rule. A $1,350 Houston one-bedroom does not.

Use the equivalent-salary map

If $100k works in Austin (COL index ~119), you need about $150k in San Francisco (index ~178) for a similar lifestyle. That is the comparison offer letters should be using, not the sticker salary.

FAQ