Whether or not $70,000 is considered a good salary depends on a number of factors. These include where you live, your lifestyle, what kind of work you do, your financial goals, and how many people are in your household.
While $70,000 is higher than average U.S. salary, it may be difficult to live well on this salary in certain parts of the country where the cost of living is high or if you’re supporting a family.
Here’s a closer look at whether or not earning $70,000 is a good salary and what factors influence this.
Factors to Determine if a $70,000 Salary Is Good
A $70,000 salary can be considered good or not depending on various factors such as where you live, your lifestyle, and your financial obligations. Let’s explore these considerations in more detail.
Where you live: Living expenses vary significantly depending on where you live in the U.S. Your dollars won’t go as far in a metropolitan city as they would in a rural area. It’s a good idea to look into the costs of housing, groceries, transportation, and other necessities in your area and weigh them against your salary to determine if $70k is enough for you to live comfortably.
The size of your household: Whether you live alone or have a family has a major impact on how far your $70,000 salary can go. A single person may be able to live well on this income in many places. But if you’re supporting a spouse and children, it may prove more difficult. If you’re supporting others, consider your family’s monthly expenses to determine if $70,000 is enough to pay for everyone’s needs.
Debt and other obligations: You’ll also want to factor in any debt and other payments you must make each month when determining if your $70k salary is enough. If you have student loans, credit card debt, and/or mortgage payments, that could eat up a significant portion of your monthly take-home salary. Run through your essential monthly expenses and then see how much is left over for discretionary purchases. Paying down debt could help make your $70k go further.
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Where Does a $70,000 Salary Compare to the American Median Income?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s most recent data (May 2022), the mean, or average, salary nationwide is $61,900.
That means that on a nationwide scale, you’re earning more than most people. However, the cost of living in your area, personal lifestyle choices, and your financial expectations and goals also play a crucial role in determining whether $70k is a good salary for you or not.
What Percentage of Americans Make Over $70,000 Annually?
U.S. Census data reports that in 2022 (the most recent data available), 49.8% of Americans made $75,000 and more, and 16.2% earned between $50,000 and $75,000. Based on these statistics, at least half of Americans make $70,000.
$70,000 Salary Breakdown
Here’s a look at exactly how a $70,000 annual salary breaks down. Keep in mind that these numbers look at gross income, which is what you earn before any taxes and other withholdings (such as health insurance, social security, and retirement contributions) are deducted from your paycheck.
• Monthly income: $5,833.33
• Biweekly income: $2,916.66
• Weekly income: $1,346.15
• Daily income: $191.78
• Hourly income: $7.99
Your actual take-home pay will depend on where you live, your household income, whether you’re a full-time employee or self-employed, and what employee benefits you participate in.
Can You Live Individually on a $70,000 Income?
If you’re single and have a salary of $70k, you are part of above-average earners in the U.S. Depending on where you live, you may be able to live comfortably on a $70,000 salary as a single person. You may even be able to save for goals, like building an emergency fund, contributing to a retirement fund, and saving for a downpayment on a home.
However, in high-cost-of-living areas, this salary might require careful budgeting to maintain a good standard of living. Indeed, economists estimate that someone making $70,000 a year in other parts of the country would need to make $166,000 in New York City to enjoy the same standard of living.
Can You Live as a Family on a $70,000 Income?
Living as a family on $70,000 could be challenging. According to the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator, the monthly household cost for two adults and two children living in Dayton, Ohio, for example, adds up to $7,658, including housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
If your monthly gross income is $5,833.33 (which it would be if you earn 70k a year), that would likely not be enough to support a family in a midsize midwestern city. You might find it easier, however, if you live in a more rural part of the country.
How Much Rent Can You Afford Living on a $70,000 Income?
One popular guideline is to spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent. So if your monthly gross income is $5,833.33, you would ideally try to spend no more than $1,750 per month on rent.
However, this guideline isn’t realistic for everyone. Sticking to spending 30% on rent may not be feasible in a place like New York City or San Francisco, for example, where median rents for a one-bedroom apartment are over $2,000.
If you need to spend more than 30% of your $70 salary on rent, you may need to watch your spending in other areas, such as clothing, entertainment, and dining out.
Best Places to Live on a $70,000 Salary
The following cities each have a median household income of below $70,000 and a lower-than-average cost of living, making them among the best places to live on a $70,000 salary.
• Decatur/Hartselle, Alabama
• Charleston, West Virginia
• Rockford, Illinois
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• Amarillo, Texas
• Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Anniston, Alabama
• Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Great Falls, Montana
• Morristown, Tennessee
• Springfield, Missouri
Worst Places to Live on a $70,000 Salary
Here’s a look at the 12 most expensive places to live in the U.S. — and some of the worst places to live on a $70,000 salary.
• San Diego, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Miami, Florida
• Santa Barbara, California
• San Francisco, California
• Salinas, California
• Santa Rosa, California
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Vallejo, California
• Fairfield, California
• New York City, New York
Recommended: Cost of Living by State
Tips for Living on a $70,000 Budget
Living on a $70,000 budget requires careful planning and smart financial decisions. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your financial situation, these tips can help you make the most of your income.
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Saving Up for Retirement
One of the most important aspects of managing your finances is saving for retirement. Even on a $70,000 budget, it’s crucial to prioritize saving for your golden years. Consider contributing to a 401(k) or IRA, which can provide tax advantages and help your money grow over time. A good rule of thumb is to try to save at least 10% to 15% of your income for retirement, and increase this amount as your income grows
Getting on a Budget
Creating and sticking to a budget is key to living within your means on a $70,000 budget. Start by tracking your income and expenses to get a clear picture of where your money is going. Then, set realistic goals for saving and spending. Consider using budgeting apps or tools to help you stay on track.
Getting Out of Debt
If you have debt, such as credit card balances or student loans, it’s important to prioritize paying it off. You might start by paying off high-interest debt first, as this will save you money in the long run. Consider consolidating your debt or negotiating with creditors to lower your interest rates. Once you’ve paid off your debt, focus on staying debt-free by living within your means.
Saving Your Money
Saving money is a crucial part of living on a $70,000 budget. Look for ways to cut expenses, such as dining out less often or shopping for discounts. Consider setting up automatic transfers to a savings account to make saving easier. Additionally, consider building an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses, such as car repairs or medical bills. This will help you avoid running up high-interest credit card debt in the event of the unexpected.
Managing Finances With SoFi
Whatever your salary, it’s important to not only live within your means but also to put some money into a high-yield savings account each month. This will give you a cushion for emergencies and help you work towards — and reach — your financial goals.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
What jobs pay over $70,000?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations that make over $70,000 include jobs in the medical and healthcare field, managers (in a variety of industries), engineers, software developers, financial advisors, jobs in the legal field, commercial pilots, economists, and actors/producers/directors, among many others.
Is making $70,000 a year common?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s most recent data (May 2022), the average salary nationwide is $61,900, which means that $70,000 is a common salary — but above the national average.
Can I make a living on $70,000?
You may be able to live comfortably off $70,000, depending on where you live and how many people are in your household. If you’re single and live in an area where the cost of living is below average, you can likely live well on $70,000.
Photo credit: iStock/Eleganza
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