What is a comfortable salary for you?

Central valley is around 80k average and comfortable and right now what I'm making my next promotion ill be at 120k and I plan on moving back home to slo. Which 100k is more realistic being single and anything over 100g with a working partner and family is more realistic there.
I also have a 401k, 2 457s, calpers and rothira

 

Rural america - $50-80K
Within metro commute - $70-125 depending on metro

My wife and I adapt to our surroundings and budget and try to create a financial buffer for un-expected times. We bought our house with cash a year ago. It is in a rough part of town BUT I will say that I fear for our safety less in our home now than I did where her apartment was 1 year ago (her old roommate got mugged and stabbed a month ago). All that being said we have ok jobs and didn't go into debt with CC and paid off our student loans. We would be considered on the cusp of the poverty /middle class line but are able to do pretty much anything we want because we save our money and spend it on enjoyable things once in a while instead of frivolous spending of stuff throughout the year.

 

This is very important: Wife retired at 58 I retired at 56 our pension checks put us over 100K per year. You have got to plan early because it will be on you before you know it. My Wife has handled all the money and investments otherwise I would still be working. We have Been retired 2 years and love it.

 

In Dallas. $100ish and while I'm not hurting, I'm not living the high life.
Having a kid and paying for child support drains the bank account real quick. It doesn't help that my girlfriend lost her job recently. I've got a sizable savings and put about 10% away each month but the cost of living here is getting higher and if Amazon does open their headquarters across the street from my work, I'll have to apply for food stamps or section 8 housing because housing will become crazy expensive around here.

 

For me... maybe a little over minimum wage throughout the summer months. I get by pretty stress-free. You guys seem to need a lot more than my few thousand. Oh wait..... I’m still dependent on my parents.

 

But I also probably have a different life then others since I live on a beef farm in a little rural county instead of a big city. My dad owns a dental office where he knows every individual patient and only has 2 employees (other than my mom). My mom manages the dental stuff (she says she does most of the work and my dad wouldn’t survive without her) and she works part time as a pharmacist at our local drug store.

 

My wife and I actually go back and forth on how much we need to make and save, and we don't always agree. I have turned down a few job offers within my parameters with great benefits in lieu of other opportunities and freedoms. As life changes we shift what is important and how much it is worth!

 

In my county 72k a year is considered low income. If you're making that much you can definitely make it by, but it won't be comfortable. Also you will never be a home owner with average housing costs in the greater Seattle area around 700k and in Bellevue 830k. So, in our area, to be comfortable (and not even living lavishly), a single income salary would be closer to 130k.

 

I'm broke as fuck

 

I thought I was doing pretty good. With some of yalls salaries you could easily move here and retire while still living the big life.

 

So i guess everyone responding owns their own home, makes 100k a year in there super kush job and puts away tons in savings every month. Hmmmm life must be so nice and easy for you guys. I, on the other hand, kill myself for fucking peanuts

 

I own a Xbox.... and I by my own gas most of the time....

 

I think this is really the only answer. I've made anywhere from 60k - 215k in recent years. I'm never comfortable. Spending goes up and property tax is always going to be high.

 

Far from it! Things will get interesting if and when kid start showing up.

 

Not necessarily lol
Combined income of 100k, rent a shit hole house in an area that used to be nice. Not comfortable but not starving. Id rather earn 60% of what i make now and live almost anywhere else than los angeles. Its insane. We were looking at san francisco area as affordable only because the houses are about the same as LA but the pay is 30% higher. So-cal has got to be the worst place to try and buy. Its overcrowded and in my field (union plumber) there are thousands of guys waiting to take my job. Comfortable would be about 150k combined, which should be within the next 4 years. Then maybe we can buy a home out of LA. I dont understand how so many people are able to save 20% for houses here with rent being so high. Cant find anything worth living in for under 3k (that meets our needs).

 

I saw this in SFO this past weekend!

 

I probably make less than all of you. I make absolutely nothing and go to school full time.
Feeling hopeless after reading this thread lol

 

WTF is quarter bath? A bucket on the floor?

 

Ha 60k is the "average" income here in Seattle. If you are making that living here you are definitely depressed. Now excuse me while I go take my anti-depressants.

 

Husband and I pull in a little over $100k per year.

We are happy. Doing very well and have no troubles paying bills, maintaining a safe roof over our heads, and feeding ourselves.

We both would probably say our ideal income is $200k.
Mostly because we’d love to spoil our future kids as well as we’d like to give.

Goal is to be debt free and be in a good enough position to be regularly contributing to some charity or local program or make one of our own.

Going to start law school in the next year or two. I will not have a job while I’m going so we’ll end up living on $60k ish. Thats doable. But would be nice to make more later on.

I think part of being comfortable is feeling you could/will make more in the future. I would have a hard time if I felt I’ve maxed out my potential at my job.