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                    "There was a time when a $100,000 salary could create a very comfortable lifestyle - but now those dollars don\u2019t go nearly as far as they used to. \u201cEarning $100,000 used to be the point where you could say, \u2018I can afford to do what I want and live the way that I want,\u2019\u201d Ashley F. Morgan, owner of bankruptcy law firm Ashley F Morgan Law, PC, said in an email to The Independent. Some 18 percent of U.S. adults earn at least $100,000, according to a 2024 survey from YouGov. And though $100,000 is more than double the national median salary of $46,960, financial stress remains for many six-figure earners. In fact, those making $100,000 or more have now adopted the shopping habits of lower-income households as they struggle with affordability, Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said at a recent retail conference. That remark has some consumers second-guessing the value of such a salary.\u201cI think a lot of people got to six figures and thought, \u2018Wait, why doesn't this feel like as much money as I expected?\u2019\u201d Steve Sexton, owner of financial firm Sexton Advisory Group, told The Independent in an email. \u2018I regularly see people making good incomes who are living paycheck to paycheck,\u2019 one expert said (Getty Images for Prive)The numbers tell the storyThe average American household\u2019s monthly costs total $8,856, according to an analysis by The Independent. The figures are based on the latest numbers from sources including the nonpartisan think tank Tax Foundation; nonprofit think-tank Urban Institute; vehicle marketplace Edmunds.com; student loan analysis site Education Data Initiative; the U.S. Energy Information Administration; wireless and internet provider Astound; and internet provider comparison site BroadbandNow. The Independent also used Progressive\u2019s national average for medium-priced car insurance.Rent: $1,890 Federal taxes: $1,175 Groceries: $1,050 Health insurance: $611 Gas: $192 Electricity: $154 Cellphone: $155 Internet: $81Car insurance: $113 Student loans: $434 Used car payment: $572 Childcare: $2,425.An American earning $100,000 gets paid around $8,333 a month before taxes - $519 less than the average household monthly spending. Monitor your credit scores effortlessly.  Create an account today.Terms and conditions apply.LEARN MOREADVERTISEMENTMonitor your credit scores effortlessly.  Create an account today.Terms and conditions apply.LEARN MOREADVERTISEMENTWhile the above list considers some basics for an average American, not every home or individual has each expense on the list - and some may have additional costs. A good number of people don\u2019t have to pay childcare or own a car. Others may live in one of the 41 states with state taxes or a place with city tax like New York. Also, the list doesn\u2019t account for expenses like gifts, charity contributions, clothing, streaming services or discretionary spending on entertainment or dining out.The sting of city livingThe gap between a $100,000 salary and monthly expenses is even wider in some major cities, where rent, groceries, and insurance tend to be more expensive. For example, the average rent in San Francisco is $3,638, according to housing marketplace Apartments.com. Rent that high would create a $2,271 monthly deficit for a $100,000 earner. On the other hand, average monthly rent in El Paso, Texas, in October is $1,007, low enough to create a $360 surplus each month. \u201cOften, whether $100,000 is a significant salary depends [on whether] you have children, your housing costs, how much debt you have, whether you have student loans, what you pay for health insurance and whether you need a car,\u201d Ashley F. Morgan, owner of bankruptcy law firm Ashley F Morgan Law, PC, said in an email to The Independent. \u201cIn high cost-of-living areas, housing alone can consume a significant portion of someone\u2019s take-home pay. Add a car payment, insurance, groceries, utilities and debt payments, and someone earning $100,000 can have surprisingly little money left at the end of the month.\u201dSan Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the country, with an average rent of $3,638 in October, according to housing marketplace Apartments.com (Getty)Creeping costs Those earning $100,000 may feel like they\u2019re living paycheck-to-paycheck for reasons that have nothing to do with cost-of-living, Morgan said. Lifestyle creep - spending more as you earn more - can also drain a six-figure salary.\u201cWanting nicer things is not generally an issue,\u201d Morgan said. \u201cThe problem is that if every increase in income immediately becomes an increase in monthly expenses, earning more doesn\u2019t necessarily create any more financial stability. I regularly see people making good incomes who are living paycheck to paycheck.\u201dIdentifying needs and wants is a good way to temper lifestyle creep. Write down a max dollar amount you want to spend on wants every month, then stick to that budget. The \u2018new\u2019 $100,000 If this salary is no longer what it once was, what\u2019s the \u201cnew\u201d $100,000? \u201cIf you made me pick a number, I\u2019d probably say $150,000 is starting to feel more like the old $100,000,\u201d Sexton said.Morgan noted that \u201cearning $100,000 can be something to celebrate. It just shouldn\u2019t be confused with being wealthy.\u201dShe added: \u201cThe better measure is what you are able to keep, save and invest after paying for your life. Financial stability usually comes from flexibility, not from reaching a particular salary.\u201d This article is sponsored by Credit Karma. We may earn a commission if you engage with their services using links in this article."
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