$100,000 was once a universally aspirational salary—a clear marker of financial success. In 2026, that milestone carries very different weight depending on where you live. In some cities, $100K puts you comfortably in the top quartile of earners. In others, it leaves you stretched thin after rent, taxes, and basics.

Here is an honest, city-by-city breakdown.

Where $100K Is Excellent

Austin, TX

Austin is arguably the best US city to earn $100,000. With no state income tax, an effective federal rate of around 18%, and relatively affordable housing (median 1-bedroom: $1,600/month), you keep roughly $6,700/month after taxes.

At that take-home, housing takes about 24% of net income—well below the 30% threshold financial planners recommend. You can comfortably save $1,500–$2,000/month, fund a 401(k), and still have room for lifestyle spending.

Verdict: Top 25% of earners. Comfortable and genuinely prosperous.

Explore the full breakdown: Is $100K a good salary in Austin?

Berlin, Germany

In Berlin, €100,000 (roughly equivalent to $100K USD at current rates) places you in the top 5% of earners in the city. German taxes are significant—you'll pay around 32–35% effective rate—but your monthly net is still substantial relative to local costs.

A 1-bedroom apartment in Berlin averages around $1,200/month. Public transit is excellent and cheap. Healthcare is covered. Eating out, entertainment, and travel within Europe are all affordable by tech-hub standards.

Verdict: Exceptional. You are wealthy by Berlin standards.

See: Is $100K a good salary in Berlin?

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver's tech scene (Amazon, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Hootsuite) pays competitive USD-adjacent salaries, and $100K CAD places you solidly in the upper-middle tier. For an engineer earning $100K USD equivalent, the picture is even better.

Canada's universal healthcare removes a major cost variable US earners must budget for. British Columbia's income tax is moderate. Housing is expensive by Canadian standards but still more affordable than San Francisco or New York.

Verdict: Good to excellent. Healthcare buffer makes a real difference.

See: Is $100K a good salary in Vancouver?

Where $100K Is Average

Chicago, IL

Chicago sits squarely in the "decent but not exceptional" zone for six-figure earners. Illinois has a flat income tax (4.95%), property taxes are high if you own, and rents in desirable neighborhoods (Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, River North) have risen significantly.

After federal and state taxes, your take-home is roughly $6,200/month. A 1-bedroom in a good neighborhood runs $1,800–$2,200/month. That leaves enough to save and live comfortably, but $100K doesn't feel lavish.

Verdict: Solidly middle-class. Above median, but not dramatically so.

See: Is $100K a good salary in Chicago?

Seattle, WA

Seattle's lack of state income tax is a major advantage—take-home on $100K is roughly $6,800–$7,000/month. But the city's explosive growth over the past decade has made housing genuinely expensive. A 1-bedroom in Capitol Hill or South Lake Union averages $2,200/month.

Here's the catch: most software engineers in Seattle earn well above $100K. The median for experienced engineers exceeds $150K. At $100K, you are below the local tech median—which affects your sense of relative standing and your ability to save aggressively.

Verdict: Comfortable, but below the tech-industry median. Good for non-tech roles.

Explore: Is $100K a good salary in Seattle?

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin's booming tech sector (Google EMEA HQ, Meta, LinkedIn, Stripe, Airbnb) has made it one of Europe's most expensive cities. A $100K USD equivalent salary here places you in the upper-middle tier, but Ireland's income tax, USC (Universal Social Charge), and PRSI take roughly 35–40% of gross income at this level.

Housing is Dublin's most pressing issue—1-bedroom rents in the city center average €2,000+/month ($2,200 USD). The numbers work, but Dublin no longer offers the cost advantage it once did.

Verdict: Above average nationally. Stretched in Dublin city center.

See: Is $100K a good salary in Dublin?

Where $100K Falls Short

New York City, NY

New York is the city where $100K can feel almost ordinary. Between federal income tax, New York state income tax (6.85%), and the New York City income tax (3.876%), an effective combined rate of around 30–33% applies—one of the highest in the country.

After taxes, take-home is roughly $5,800/month. A 1-bedroom in Manhattan averages $3,500/month. In Brooklyn or Queens, you might find $2,200–$2,600. That leaves limited room for savings, especially once you add transit ($130/month MetroCard), food, and utilities.

$100K in NYC is above the city's median household income—so you are not struggling. But you are not thriving either. Most financial advisors suggest $150K+ as the threshold for "comfortable" single-person living in Manhattan.

Verdict: Above median but tight. Requires careful budgeting in Manhattan.

Explore the detailed analysis: Is $100K a good salary in New York?

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is the city that most famously humbles six-figure salaries. California's top marginal rates, combined with federal taxes, produce an effective rate of roughly 32–35% on $100K. Take-home: approximately $5,600–$5,800/month.

The median 1-bedroom rent in San Francisco is $3,100/month—53% of take-home pay before any other expenses. This violates every standard of housing affordability. Many $100K earners in San Francisco have roommates or live in the East Bay or South Bay and commute.

The irony: in tech terms, $100K is a junior salary in San Francisco. Entry-level engineers at established tech companies typically start at $120K+. $100K signals you are either early-career, at a smaller company, or in a non-engineering role.

Verdict: Below the local tech median. Financially stretched. A stepping stone, not a destination salary.

Full breakdown: Is $100K a good salary in San Francisco?

What Actually Determines If $100K Is "Good Enough"

Beyond geography, four factors shape whether six figures gives you the life you want:

1. Household size and structure. A dual-income couple earning $100K each has a fundamentally different life than a single person supporting a family on $100K. The question is always "good for whom, in what context?"

2. Career stage. $100K is strong for a 24-year-old two years out of university. It is concerning for a 40-year-old with a decade of experience in a high-demand field—it signals you are likely underpaid.

3. Wealth trajectory, not just income. Income is a flow; net worth is a stock. Two people can earn identical salaries and have vastly different financial outcomes based on savings rate, investing behavior, and debt management.

4. The role's ceiling. A $100K role with a clear path to $150K in two years is very different from one where $100K is the ceiling. Always think about trajectory.

The Bottom Line

$100,000 is:

  • Excellent in Austin, Berlin, Amsterdam, and most mid-size cities
  • Good in Chicago, Boston, Toronto, and Seattle (for non-tech roles)
  • Average in London, Dublin, and Vancouver
  • Insufficient for comfort in New York City and San Francisco

Use our city-specific pages to see exactly where you stand—including tax estimates, cost-of-living breakdowns, and purchasing power comparisons—at ismysalarygood.com.