The Minimum Salary You Need To Feel Financially Stable in Every State in 2026
For many people, feeling financially stable not only means being able to cover their bills but also having enough money left for savings, emergencies, debt payments, and unexpected expenses.
That amount can vary by state because basic living expenses are higher in some places than in others.
MoneyLion used WealthVieu’s 2026 comfortable-living income estimates to determine the minimum salary needed in every state. The estimates are based on a 50/30/20 framework that includes needs such as housing, food, utilities, transportation, health insurance and minimum debt payments, along with money for wants and savings.
Minimum Salary Needed by State
Here’s the minimum annual salary a single person needs to feel financially stable in each state in 2026, based on WeathVieu’s estimates and divided by geographic region.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
State | Minimum Salary Needed |
Massachusetts | $115,000 |
New York | $112,000 |
Connecticut | $100,000 |
New Jersey | $98,000 |
Maryland | $94,000 |
New Hampshire | $88,000 |
Rhode Island | $87,000 |
Vermont | $86,000 |
Delaware | $85,000 |
Maine | $82,000 |
Pennsylvania | $80,000 |
Midwest
State | Minimum Salary Needed |
Minnesota | $84,000 |
Illinois | $83,000 |
Wisconsin | $77,000 |
Michigan | $76,000 |
Nebraska | $73,000 |
North Dakota | $73,000 |
Indiana | $72,000 |
Ohio | $72,000 |
South Dakota | $72,000 |
Iowa | $71,000 |
Kansas | $70,000 |
Missouri | $70,000 |
South
State | Minimum Salary Needed |
Virginia | $90,000 |
Florida | $82,000 |
North Carolina | $76,000 |
South Carolina | $75,000 |
Georgia | $74,000 |
Texas | $72,000 |
Tennessee | $71,000 |
Kentucky | $70,000 |
Louisiana | $70,000 |
Alabama | $69,000 |
Oklahoma | $69,000 |
Arkansas | $68,000 |
Mississippi | $68,000 |
West Virginia | $68,000 |
West
State | Minimum Salary Needed |
Hawaii | $135,000 |
California | $120,000 |
Washington | $105,000 |
Oregon | $102,000 |
Colorado | $96,000 |
Alaska | $92,000 |
Nevada | $81,000 |
Arizona | $80,000 |
Montana | $79,000 |
Utah | $78,000 |
Idaho | $75,000 |
Wyoming | $74,000 |
New Mexico | $73,000 |
States Where Minimum Salaries Need To Be Highest and Lowest
The highest minimum salary requirements to feel financially stable are in the West and Northeast. Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, New York, Washington and Oregon all require more than $100,000 for a single person to feel financially stable, according to WealthVieu’s estimates.
The lowest minimum salary requirements to feel financially stable are mostly in the South. Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia are tied at $68,000, followed by Alabama and Oklahoma at $69,000.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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