$129,002: The Income Required for a Single Adult in Hawaii in 2026

SmartAsset released a new analysis on the income required to live comfortably in the United States in 2026. The study determines the annual pre-tax salary necessary for individuals and families to cover basic needs, discretionary spending, and savings. The findings indicate that a six-figure salary is now a baseline requirement in many regions.

For a single adult without children, the minimum income needed to live comfortably is at least $80,000 in every state. In nearly half of the states, that threshold exceeds $100,000. For a household with two working adults and two children, the required income is as high as $329,000 in the most expensive locations. In 40 states, a family of four needs at least $200,000 annually to maintain this standard of living.

Massachusetts represents the highest cost of living for families, requiring an income of $329,555. Hawaii is the most expensive state for single adults, where the threshold reaches $129,002. At the lower end, Mississippi is the least expensive state for a family of four at $187,533. West Virginia is the least expensive for single adults, requiring $81,245.

The cost of comfortable living increased in most states compared to 2025. Montana recorded the largest year-over-year jump for single adults, with the required income rising 8.6% to $100,797. New York followed with an 8.4% increase to $124,342. Maine and California also saw double-digit percentage increases in their respective thresholds.

North Carolina is among the few states where the income requirement for a single adult decreased. The threshold dropped 0.3% to $93,475 in 2026. Five other states saw declines: Tennessee, Maryland, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. In Tennessee, the required income for a single adult fell 1.7% to $89,898, the largest decrease in the study.

The analysis relies on data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, which was last updated in February 2026. SmartAsset adjusted these figures using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. This framework allocates 50% of income to necessities such as housing and utilities, 30% to discretionary spending, and 20% to savings for retirement and emergencies.