City Finder Results

Best Cities for a Single Person Making $100K

Where six figures buys the best lifestyle. Based on real federal cost data for 301 US cities.

Income: $100K/yr
Household: Single Adult
Climate: Any
Priority: Balance
Savings Goal: $800/mo
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Direct Answer

Memphis, TN is the top match for this city-finder scenario, scoring 81/100 with an estimated monthly surplus of +$3,241. Results are ranked from federal cost data, modeled take-home pay, affordability, climate, and lifestyle fit.

Top match
Memphis, TN
81/100 match score
Monthly surplus
+$3,241
Modeled take-home pay minus core monthly costs
Rent benchmark
$1,148
Estimated monthly rent in the top city
Scenario income
$100,000/yr
Single Adult profile

Your Top 10 City Matches

#1

Memphis, TN

Pop: 633K · Index: 82 · south
A
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,148
Total Costs
$2,209
Surplus
+$3,241
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,241/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 18% below national average
  • Mid-size city with good amenities
#2

San Juan, PR

Pop: 342K · Index: 83 · south
A
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,162
Total Costs
$2,236
Surplus
+$3,214
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,214/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 17% below national average
  • Mid-size city with good amenities
#3

Laredo, TX

Pop: 255K · Index: 82 · south
A
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,148
Total Costs
$2,209
Surplus
+$3,241
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,241/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 18% below national average
  • Rent is only 18% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
#4

Brownsville, TX

Pop: 187K · Index: 80 · south
A+
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,120
Total Costs
$2,157
Surplus
+$3,293
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,293/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 20% below national average
  • Rent is only 18% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
⚠️ Consider:
  • Smaller city — fewer job options if you need to switch
#5

Jackson, MS

Pop: 154K · Index: 80 · south
A+
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,120
Total Costs
$2,157
Surplus
+$3,293
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,293/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 20% below national average
  • Rent is only 18% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
⚠️ Consider:
  • Smaller city — fewer job options if you need to switch
#6

Macon, GA

Pop: 157K · Index: 80 · south
A+
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,120
Total Costs
$2,157
Surplus
+$3,293
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,293/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 20% below national average
  • Rent is only 18% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
⚠️ Consider:
  • Smaller city — fewer job options if you need to switch
#7

Flint, MI

Pop: 97K · Index: 76 · midwest
A+
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,064
Total Costs
$2,052
Surplus
+$3,398
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,398/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 24% below national average
  • Rent is only 17% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
⚠️ Consider:
  • Smaller city — fewer job options if you need to switch
#8

St. Joseph, MO

Pop: 72K · Index: 78 · midwest
A+
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,092
Total Costs
$2,105
Surplus
+$3,345
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,345/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 22% below national average
  • Rent is only 17% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
⚠️ Consider:
  • Smaller city — fewer job options if you need to switch
#9

South Bend, IN

Pop: 103K · Index: 80 · midwest
A+
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,120
Total Costs
$2,157
Surplus
+$3,293
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,293/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 20% below national average
  • Rent is only 18% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
⚠️ Consider:
  • Smaller city — fewer job options if you need to switch
#10

Terre Haute, IN

Pop: 58K · Index: 78 · midwest
A+
Match Score81/100
Take-Home
$6,250
Rent
$1,092
Total Costs
$2,105
Surplus
+$3,345
✅ Why it fits:
  • $3,345/mo surplus after all expenses and savings
  • Cost of living 22% below national average
  • Rent is only 17% of take-home pay (healthy ratio)
⚠️ Consider:
  • Smaller city — fewer job options if you need to switch

How to Use These Matches

Start with Memphis, then compare the city overview, rent, salary-needed, and monthly-budget pages.
Treat the 81/100 score as a fit screen, not a final move decision.
Validate neighborhood-level rent, commute, job availability, healthcare, and school needs before relocating.
Compare at least three top matches because lifestyle preferences can outweigh a small affordability difference.

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