Rent costs in New York and Miami are devouring the paychecks of single middle-class Americans. According to a new study from GOBankingRates, rent accounts for more than 90% of gross income in these two wildly popular metros.
To determine the cost of living for single middle-class Americans, GOBankingRates analyzed the 50 largest cities in the United States by population. Key factors sourced included the median household income, average rent cost and average expenditure cost for households with one person. Using each expenditure cost along with the median household income, the percentage of gross income spent on each expenditure — including rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation — was calculated.
Key Findings
- Rent eats up over 90% of gross income in New York and Miami. Single and middle-class Americans can anticipate it eating up nearly 95% of their earnings in New York and 93% in Miami.
- Over 50% of gross income goes toward rent in 15 major cities. These metros include New York (94.9%), Miami (93.3%), Los Angeles (70.7%), Boston (63.1%), San Jose, California (62.8%), Detroit (59.7%), El Paso, Texas (58.2%), Bakersfield, California (57.6%), Fresno, California (56.6%), San Diego (56.2%), Philadelphia (55.9%), Las Vegas (52.6%), Chicago (51.9%), San Francisco (51.7%) and Baltimore (51%).
- After paying for the cost of living, Americans are in the red in five cities. New York (-$17,719), Miami (-$13,348), Los Angeles (-$2,002), Detroit (-$4,854) and El Paso (-$312) have the highest negative balances.
- On the flip side, Washington, D.C., and Seattle are the most net positive for leftover savings. Single middle-class Americans have $33,578 left in Washington and $31,126 in Seattle, even though rent accounts for 37% of gross income in each metro.
Here’s what the cost of living in 50 major cities looks like for single middle-class Americans, ranked according to the highest percentage of income spent on rent. Also, check out the nation’s 50 wealthiest suburbs.
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1. New York
- Median income for one-person household: $46,867
-
Total cost of living annually: $64,586
- Rent (% of gross income): 94.9%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.7%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 11%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 9.5%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 13.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: -$17,719
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2. Miami
- Median income for one-person household: $37,945
-
Total cost of living annually: $51,293
- Rent (% of gross income): 93.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 9.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 11%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 13.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: -$13,348
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3. Los Angeles
- Median income for one-person household: $47,395
-
Total cost of living annually: $49,397
- Rent (% of gross income): 70.7%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.7%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 12.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: -$2,002
4. Boston
- Median income for one-person household: $65,250
-
Total cost of living annually: $56,838
- Rent (% of gross income): 63.1%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.5%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.3%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.2%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $8,412
5. San Jose, California
- Median income for one-person household: $62,230
-
Total cost of living annually: $55,609
- Rent (% of gross income): 62.8%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.4%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 4.6%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $6,621
6. Detroit
- Median income for one-person household: $26,177
-
Total cost of living annually: $31,031
- Rent (% of gross income): 59.7%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 11.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 12.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 10.1%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 24.3%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: -$4,854
7. El Paso, Texas
- Median income for one-person household: $30,885
-
Total cost of living annually: $31,197
- Rent (% of gross income): 58.2%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 10.4%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 12.5%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 9.3%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 10.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: -$312
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8. Bakersfield, California
- Median income for one-person household: $41,020
-
Total cost of living annually: $37,736
- Rent (% of gross income): 57.6%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $3,284
9. Fresno, California
- Median income for one-person household: $41,123
-
Total cost of living annually: $37,435
- Rent (% of gross income): 56.6%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.1%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 8.1%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $3,688
10. San Diego
- Median income for one-person household: $63,131
-
Total cost of living annually: $50,170
- Rent (% of gross income): 56.2%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.1%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.7%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 4.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,961
11. Philadelphia
- Median income for one-person household: $36,544
-
Total cost of living annually: $36,359
- Rent (% of gross income): 55.9%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 9.8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 11.2%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 8.7%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 13.82%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $185
12. Las Vegas
- Median income for one-person household: $38,781
-
Total cost of living annually: $35,323
- Rent (% of gross income): 52.6%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 9.2%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.7%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 11.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $3,458
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13. Chicago
- Median income for one-person household: $50,286
-
Total cost of living annually: $40,680
- Rent (% of gross income): 51.9%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,606
14. San Francisco
- Median income for one-person household: $85,336
-
Total cost of living annually: $61,360
- Rent (% of gross income): 51.7%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 4.8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.4%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 3.4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $23,976
15. Baltimore
- Median income for one-person household: $40,804
-
Total cost of living annually: $35,248
- Rent (% of gross income): 51%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.3%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 10.9%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $5,556
16. Oakland, California
- Median income for one-person household: $60,250
-
Total cost of living annually: $45,224
- Rent (% of gross income): 49%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.5%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.8%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 4.4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,026
17. Tampa, Florida
- Median income for one-person household: $48,590
-
Total cost of living annually: $38,296
- Rent (% of gross income): 48.9%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.3%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.2%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $10,294
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18. Long Beach, California
- Median income for one-person household: $57,618
-
Total cost of living annually: $42,696
- Rent (% of gross income): 47.1%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.2%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.1%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $14,922
19. Tucson, Arizona
- Median income for one-person household: $37,405
-
Total cost of living annually: $30,422
- Rent (% of gross income): 46.2%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.2%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.2%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $6,983
20. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Median income for one-person household: $52,949
-
Total cost of living annually: $38,072
- Rent (% of gross income): 45.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.6%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 8%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $14,877
21. Fort Worth, Texas
- Median income for one-person household: $43,033
-
Total cost of living annually: $33,638
- Rent (% of gross income): 44.6%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.3%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.9%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,395
22. Jacksonville, Florida
- Median income for one-person household: $42,222
-
Total cost of living annually: $32,966
- Rent (% of gross income): 44.6%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.2%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.5%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.2%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,256
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23. Mesa, Arizona
- Median income for one-person household: $43,050
-
Total cost of living annually: $33,195
- Rent (% of gross income): 44.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.9%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,855
24. Arlington, Texas
- Median income for one-person household: $43,401
-
Total cost of living annually: $33,413
- Rent (% of gross income): 43.7%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.2%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,988
25. Memphis, Tennessee
- Median income for one-person household: $34,186
-
Total cost of living annually: $28,206
- Rent (% of gross income): 43.4%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 9.5%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 11.4%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 8.3%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $5,980
26. Louisville, Kentucky
- Median income for one-person household: $36,989
-
Total cost of living annually: $29,674
- Rent (% of gross income): 43.4%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 9.2%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.3%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.9%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $7,315
27. Kansas City, Missouri
- Median income for one-person household: $38,795
-
Total cost of living annually: $30,436
- Rent (% of gross income): 43.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.7%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.7%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.1%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $8,359
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28. Sacramento, California
- Median income for one-person household: $57,254
-
Total cost of living annually: $39,687
- Rent (% of gross income): 43%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.4%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.3%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.1%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.5%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,567
29. Portland, Oregon
- Median income for one-person household: $48,364
-
Total cost of living annually: $34,887
- Rent (% of gross income): 42.7%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.5%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.5%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 4.9%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $13,477
30. Nashville, Tennessee
- Median income for one-person household: $50,530
-
Total cost of living annually: $35,452
- Rent (% of gross income): 42.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.1%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.9%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.1%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,078
31. Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Median income for one-person household: $42,068
-
Total cost of living annually: $30,297
- Rent (% of gross income): 42%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $11,771
32. Minneapolis
- Median income for one-person household: $50,558
-
Total cost of living annually: $34,305
- Rent (% of gross income): 41.4%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $16,253
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33. San Antonio
- Median income for one-person household: $39,476
-
Total cost of living annually: $29,584
- Rent (% of gross income): 41.1%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.1%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.8%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.1%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,892
34. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Median income for one-person household: $37,061
-
Total cost of living annually: $28,688
- Rent (% of gross income): 41%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 11.2%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.62%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $8,373
35. Milwaukee
- Median income for one-person household: $38,707
-
Total cost of living annually: $29,422
- Rent (% of gross income): 40.8%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8.4%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.7%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 7.7%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $9,285
36. Houston
- Median income for one-person household: $45,421
-
Total cost of living annually: $32,844
- Rent (% of gross income): 40.8%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 8.4%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.3%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 9.3%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,577
37. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Median income for one-person household: $50,936
-
Total cost of living annually: $32,970
- Rent (% of gross income): 39.5%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.5%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.7%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,966
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38. Charlotte, North Carolina
- Median income for one-person household: $52,649
-
Total cost of living annually: $34,382
- Rent (% of gross income): 39.4%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.6%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.3%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.5%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.6%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $18,267
39. Omaha, Nebraska
- Median income for one-person household: $42,771
-
Total cost of living annually: $30,536
- Rent (% of gross income): 39.2%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.8%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,235
40. Atlanta
- Median income for one-person household: $59,595
-
Total cost of living annually: $37,590
- Rent (% of gross income): 38.2%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 5.8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.7%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.1%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.3%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $22,005
41. Indianapolis
- Median income for one-person household: $43,493
-
Total cost of living annually: $29,560
- Rent (% of gross income): 37.6%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.5%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 9.3%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.1%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $13,933
42. Columbus, Ohio
- Median income for one-person household: $46,040
-
Total cost of living annually: $30,526
- Rent (% of gross income): 37.5%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 7.5%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.8%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.5%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 7%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,514
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43. Phoenix
- Median income for one-person household: $50,430
-
Total cost of living annually: $33,141
- Rent (% of gross income): 37.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.4%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.3%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,289
44. Washington, D.C.
- Median income for one-person households: $78,400
-
Total cost of living annually: $44,822
- Rent (% of gross income): 37.1%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 5.1%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 4.9%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 4%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.1%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $33,578
45. Seattle
- Median income for one-person household: $72,012
-
Total cost of living annually: $40,886
- Rent (% of gross income): 37%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 5.3%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 4.9%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 2.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $31,126
46. Denver
- Median income for one-person household: $60,252
-
Total cost of living annually: $36,165
- Rent (% of gross income): 36.9%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 5.9%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 5.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 4.7%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.9%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $24,087
47. Dallas
- Median income for one-person household: $52,176
-
Total cost of living annually: $33,442
- Rent (% of gross income): 36.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.6%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 7.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.7%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $18,734
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48. Oklahoma City
- Median income for one-person household: $41,256
-
Total cost of living annually: $28,791
- Rent (% of gross income): 36.2%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 8%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 10.4%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 6.9%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 8.2%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,465
49. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Median income for one-person household: $55,456
-
Total cost of living annually: $32,375
- Rent (% of gross income): 34.2%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 6.3%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.9%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 5.3%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 5.7%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $23,081
50. Austin, Texas
- Median income for one-person household: $61,510
-
Total cost of living annually: $32,952
- Rent (% of gross income): 30.3%
- Groceries (% of gross income): 5.5%
- Healthcare (% of gross income): 6.6%
- Utilities (% of gross income): 4.8%
- Transportation (% of gross income): 6.4%
- Leftover savings after cost of living: $28,558
Explore more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the largest 50 cities by population, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey. This included median household income for households with one person. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces. Using the average expenditure cost for households with one person, the average expenditure cost for each city was calculated. The average rental cost was sourced from Zillow Observed Rental Index. Using the average rent and expenditure cost, the total cost of living was calculated. Using each expenditure cost along with the median household income, the percentage of gross income spent on each expenditure was calculated. The cities were sorted to show the largest percentage spent on rent costs. All data is up to date as of Dec. 23, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Middle Class and Single: Cost of Living in 50 Major Cities
