6 figures is enough in most places, amirite?

I think ppl are upset that 6 figures is enough rather than being more than enough if that makes sense. No doubt you can still live comfortably with a 6 figure salary but it just doesnt go as far as it used to.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Yeah but that's literally inflation. In an ideal world salaries would increase at a similar rate.

by IssueOk 1 month ago

This!

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Yep. $100K in early 2000s is $200K in today's dollars. So the purchasing power halves in about 20 years. The time it takes you to go from baby to adult, money becomes worth half. 😢

by ExtensionRabbit 1 month ago

6 figures? Hell my wife and I are a little more than mid 5 and we are fine.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

You and your wife combined make about 50k together and you are fine?????

by Anonymous 1 month ago

one car. everything paid for (minus the house). meals at home. it's really not that hard if you're in the right part of the country. It's even easier if one person is making 50k and one parent can stay at home as there's no childcare involved. I remember my daughter calling me and asked me why the Ramen didn't taste like I used to make all the time because I used to dress it up with nature seasonings. lol

by Ok_Anything 1 month ago

Just don't ever retire. ever.

by Gerlachelijah 1 month ago

Ya that's most of America as far as I know.

by Alternative_Bat2684 1 month ago

That's household combined income. 30-40% of households have more than one earner.

by Qleannon 1 month ago

Sorry - maybe this is me underestimating how expensive (what I'm assuming is America) is... 50k is LOW over there? How much are you guys expected to earn to survive?

by maximehoeger 1 month ago

Yeah….it is for two people to be making that much especially here in Canada. We have an affordability crisis

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Yeah my wife is British and was shocked at US salaries (and prices, it's not like we live that much better)

by Regular-Lab 1 month ago

It's low

by Sensitive-Switch 1 month ago

Depends on where you live but basically any major city is gonna run you $1500/mo+ minimum for a 1bedroom apartment closer to 3-4k in the good cities like SF or NYC. In those latter cities, a cup of coffee costs close to $8 these days as perspective on ‘everyday' costs.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

THE 8 DOLLAR COFFEE THING WASNT A JOKE?!

by maximehoeger 1 month ago

It's a joke, a cup of coffee is probably more like $3, and the $8 thing is a 16 oz caramel latte abomination with 1/2 a cup of milk in it.

by Inside_Inflation 1 month ago

These days 50k is an entry-level salary for a single person in many parts of North America. So for a couple to be making that combined is pretty shockingly low.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

How do the two of you combined make so little? McDonald's near me is $20/hr full time that's 40 grand a year

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Because we enjoy, not working for things we don't need. We could work more sure, make more spend more.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I work full time as a private school teacher she is part time.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

$1.50 Costco hot dogs huh

by Routine-Bedroom 1 month ago

Where do you live

by Anonymous 1 month ago

How far 100k for a household will take you varies greatly depending on where you live.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

And also whether you outright own a home or not

by Gjenkins 1 month ago

Still owe a mortgage on my home, 90k left owing

by kwilderman 1 month ago

The equivalent of 100k USD will do well in most places, even much of the developed world outside of the world's most expensive cities.

by Regular-Tell 1 month ago

already owning the home from when they were a few hundred rather than several hundred also helps.

by elwyn80 1 month ago

Absolutely. I live in BC Canada and in about an hour outside of a major city.

by kwilderman 1 month ago

And when you bought your house. I would never be able to afford the house I bought 6 years ago today, and I've gotten a few pay bumps since the.

by Feisty-Software 1 month ago

You're not a Californian. That, I'm positive.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Nope. Canadian lol

by kwilderman 1 month ago

Shy of a 100k a year living in BC, Canada with a mortgage payment and a family and still living comfortably is definitely notable. This is a great example of what OP is talking about imo.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Making 150k a year where I am wouldn't allow for half of that where I am.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

You definitely don't live in California.

by skylarzieme 1 month ago

If your wife doen't work you must have live in a LCOL area

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Kinda? My house was $200k, only have one grocery store in town (I don't shop at often I'll travel 1hr to the major city to do my grocery shopping there as it's cheaper) and 1 gas station. The town I live in has a population of..2800 I think lol

by kwilderman 1 month ago

No "kinda" about it lol that is straight up rural.

by wbartoletti 1 month ago

I just went to realtor.com and focused the map where I lived. I set the max to 200k and zoomed out until the first dot appeared. It was a 30 mile radius before the first result: 2bd, 1ba, 430 square feet. Location is a huge component to this equation.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

You can't just say "6 figures", you have to be specific. Because the lifestyle of someone making $100K vs someone making $500K are very different

by Direct-Influence 1 month ago

Technically you're right BUT I'm sure it's implied it's at or slightly over 100K (150k maybe) when ppl say "6 figures"

by Anonymous 1 month ago

There are quite a few big cities where you will be stretched on 100K and certainly struggle buying property. LA / SF / NYC / Sydney / Paris / London / HK / Singapore / Munich / Van / Toronto / Auckland Add all trendy ski towns, lots of east coast Aus etc That's certainly not a huge percentage of the worlds population but its still a lot of people.

by tierradicki 1 month ago

barely anyone in paris makes 100k (average salary is 54k euros), yet they manage

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Paris is indeed the bad example in that list, i threw it in with London. I feel like the rest is pretty air tight. I've lived or worked long term in half.

by tierradicki 1 month ago

Don't forget Washington DC also, it's brutal out here.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

You'll be restricted to zone 3 and out, but you can definitely live comfortably on 100k in London. Inside zone 3 you're kind of screwed but then you're up against Saudis and Russians with practically unlimited money.

by Cgorczany 1 month ago

London has always baffled me how anyone could afford it

by Routine-Bedroom 1 month ago

Paris is not comparable here cause its a MUCH smaller city.but you Can definitively leave close by,and youd be living hella good

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I agree completely. Money doesn't go nearly as far and people are also much more frivolous.

by ElderberryDowntown 1 month ago

The rich love to be poor too. Whoopi said 10 million dollars is not enough money. She said this when Joe Biden wanted to raise taxes and she's like "do you know how many people I support".

by NoEnthusiasm 1 month ago

The only ppl that believe this are ppl that didn't make 50k 30 years ago lol.

by leanne87 1 month ago

Some people thinks annual trip to Australia and Switzerland is not a luxury.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

It's enough everywhere. There's no city that requires seven figures to survive.

by Terrible-Ad 1 month ago

To be faaaair... I should have specified 100k

by Anonymous 1 month ago

There are many places 6 figures would have you living like a king.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

For a single person, sure. If you have a SAHS, kids, pets, elderly parents, or really any financial responsibility that extends beyond yourself, I feel like it's much harder to stretch (low) six figures.

by Disastrous-Guest7287 1 month ago

Are you talking a single person?

by Dry_Bear_1790 1 month ago

Uh huh. Except I've never seen a yearly income of 6 figures in my life.

by Kariane28 1 month ago

I agree. People are caught up in things like homeownership and having a car, and all the daily stuff like makeup, clothes, ordering food. Trying to match the casual affluence of our great/grandparents AND the materialism of now. If you give up a lot of that stuff (and much of it is truly unnecessary), you can do pretty well on even less than 100k.

by Working_Bee 1 month ago

I think it ends up being people have a vision for how they want there life to be. But when reality hits you in the face instead of going "O I guess I was being unrealistic". They dig in and play the victim card because reality doesn't match there vision of being an adult. Also some people are just really bad at budgeting. I work for a school district that pays teachers very well. But it's not uncommon for teachers who chose to get paid fully during the school year. instead of split up through the entire year to need a summer job. Because they didn't save any money to tide them over summer.

by retastokes 1 month ago

If I made that much I'd be set for sure

by Sadie00 1 month ago

$100k is about £75k. That would be very comfortable anywhere in the UK including London. Up North you'd be loaded.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Since when are NY and LA the only high cost of living areas in the US?

by Anonymous 1 month ago

In their heads.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

The same place they meet the "buys takeout every meal" people.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I'm a graduate student who makes less than 40k without parental help. I have my own apartment, I have a car. I'm fine. I don't have a lot of disposable income and I'd be broke if I had kids bht the idea you need more than 6 figured is funny.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Where do you live tho

by Disastrous-Guest7287 1 month ago

If you are childless, yes. Childcare throws that right out the window though.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

one of you doesn't work? that's also an option. When we did the math, my wife did not have the skill to go make too much more than minimum wage so why does she need a car? proper childcare is crazy expensive. money in the bank.

by Ok_Anything 1 month ago

Not everyone has this option though. You are really fortunate to be in the position you are.

by birdieconnelly 1 month ago

It also depends on whether we're talking household 100k or per working adult, because one person making 100k and two making it combined or very different.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

OP lives in a low col area and has never been anywhere else

by Anonymous 1 month ago

How do kids factor into this? It's one thing if you're DINKs versus a 3-4 child household.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I'm almost to 6 figures! Been at job 20 years. I'm careful with my money and still enjoy the good things…vacation, 2nd car, some home renovations. Since sky high inflation 100K really doesn't go as far as it used to and it's really not that impressive anymore.

by Infinite-Art-1346 1 month ago

$999,999 is six figures. I should hope it's enough for most people.

by Excellent_Draft7392 1 month ago

Of course 100k is a lot outside big cities, but most people live in cities. Especially the big cities, that's what makes them big cities after all.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I have a shelf in my room that fits 8 of my figures. So no not in this place

by Odd-Suspect 1 month ago

Agree except for the dishwasher

by Lucilehahn 1 month ago

I agree - this is the one non-negotiable part of life

by Gladys60 1 month ago

The people struggling at 6 figures on the coasts, can't make that same money in middle America.

by Douglassonya 1 month ago

I live in San Francisco and 100k is low income here

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Oh wow you solved it. We were all wrong but thank god you came along.

by matteo45 1 month ago

Glad to help. As I have now saved you money please tip me. 20, 50 or 70 percent. No custom option sorry.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

It's more than enough I make 150k or more and I have easily 50k in savings

by Mireille57 1 month ago

6 figures goes up to $999,999

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Yeah that's what I make. I had to turn down a $1 tip yesterday so I can still flex on 6 figure people. If I move up to 7 figures I'm a brownie in my class.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I make less than $50,000 a year and I'm able to live within my means. If you make $100,000 or more a year and can't live within your means you should reconsider what you want to spend your money on.

by bechtelarlamar 1 month ago

Even in NYC and LA. You can leave on 6 figures. You might have to live in a one bedroom or a studio apartment.

by NoEnthusiasm 1 month ago

I never had a dishwasher in my apartments in the Northeast US. Only got one moving down South. People have different expectations here, like refusing to have two bedrooms to one bathroom. It's insane.

by Isai48 1 month ago

Ah yes privacy, the ultimate sign of insanity.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

My family has never owned a dishwasher. Always had a washer and dryer.

by Alternative_Bat2684 1 month ago

You're right. Washer and dryer would have been better and you're right laundromats suck. I do love places that have service where they fold it and everything. Just drop off and pick up. Someti it's reasonably priced.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I've lived alone making 85k the past two years. My rent is $1700. I'm able to put back around $1500 a month and I'm not super frugal. I watch what I spend and prioritize saving but I still order out multiple times per month and buy pretty healthy food at the grocery. I will say I only put $20 in my gas tank per month and no car payment.

by Southern_Shape 1 month ago

People be collecting debt like it's a Pokemon

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Maybe true in most places, but I want more.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I live okay on a little south of 45. 100k, I'd feel set.

by Zestyclose-Finger196 1 month ago

Sure, even then about 63% of American households made less than $100k in 2022.

by Ok-Animator-7884 1 month ago

Taxes 55% for 100k? Please tell me where so I can avoid it

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Some people equate spending money on things with happiness and enjoying yourself, to me it's an empty pursuit. I try to be satisfied with as little as possible.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

For most places that are not big cities or maybe for a single person.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Yeah you're right, it's hypothetically enough, but it's kind of weird that it's artificially harder to live there just cause a small group of people and companies hoard everything so they themselves can live comfortably, and people choose to do that to make money cause like, you need a job and jobs don't pay a lot without huge investments in most cases and still don't pay as much as you deserve for committing 40 hours a week and generating billions in profit for a small fraction of the population

by Anonymous 1 month ago

The ones that get me are the people who complain about how they can barely afford to live in whatever HCOL major city they're in, but will act like the world will come to an end at the idea of living somewhere more affordable.

by Kertzmannneva 1 month ago

I've been living comfortably in LA for years and I've never been close to making 6 figures (maybe $70k once).

by Anonymous 1 month ago

*cries in San Diegan*

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Glad you said not nyc because I was about to attack you

by Anonymous 1 month ago

This opinion is true in 1999.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

My partner and I make 130k, combined. We take international vacations every year, max out retirement accounts, and I'm even studying to be a pilot. We also cook in most nights, and wear clothes that are 6-7 years old. Important to note 100k might not be enough for victims of medical debt or predatory student loans

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Exceptions might be NYC and L.A. ... and the Bay Area. and Seattle. and D.C. and Austin? and...

by Anonymous 1 month ago

So like… $999,999.99?

by Sgulgowski 1 month ago

The more money people have, the more they seem to vocally complain.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I would not say in most places. But in some places. I earn 45 000 and it's not that bad.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

My girlfriend and I make almost 100g combined, that's Canadian. We live in southern Ontario and are 24 with no help from parents. Trust me, it's not enough lol. We can barely get by with car payments, rent, insane food costs

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I remember seeing someone complaining about only being on 40K (USA) straight out of uni. Like that would be the dream. Just to love an average life and be comfortable early on. I think some people think if they are average then they are failures and live in poverty.

by gschaden 1 month ago

People don't even balance their bank accounts. They let an app do it and forget what purchases they've even made.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

So your opinion is literally between 100,000 and a million dollars is enough in most places? Ok? The bigger issue is the increase in the cost of living. Everyone got knocked down a rung on the ladder except the ultra wealthy. 100,000 is chump change in nyc, when you're spending 60 grand in rent on average.

by Isaacsmitham 1 month ago

The issue is that six figure opportunities are difficult to come across in those regions

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Yeah pretty much. I make six figures but back in my hometown I could get by with significantly less. But I live in Boston now and I wouldn't recommend anyone to live here unless you make well over six figures.

by Aggravating-Room 1 month ago

$100k a year would put my in the upper class tier in my country.

by Only_Trust 1 month ago

The sf Bay Area would like a word

by tomasa24 1 month ago

Oh I 100% agree with this. I feel like a lot of people complain about this while living in areas where housing is a crisis— like, obviously $100k isn't going to go very far if you insist on living in California. Go somewhere else and it'll go a lot further. But also, it's wild to me how some people just accept paying obscene amounts of money for convenience. I've used services like DoorDash maybe a HANDFUL of times, mostly when I was sick and couldn't leave my house, and needed ingredients for chicken soup— not for a random evening in when I'm too lazy to make dinner. People do this and complain that they have no money.

by Busy_Professional964 1 month ago

I need to make 72k a year to afford a studio apartment where I live.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I felt like it was enough for me. But not when I wanted to move to the burbs and support the family. It would be pretty darn tight on just $100K. Definitely doable with like $200K tho. Maybe if you rent it would be okay (which might be the smart choice tbh)

by ExtensionRabbit 1 month ago

not an unpopular opinion

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Laughs in Coloradan

by Lavinacormier 1 month ago

6 figures would be a silly high annual here in the uk, and I'd get taxed 40% on everything after the first 12.5k

by Anonymous 1 month ago

My wife and I make about $85,000 CAD together, and can live comfortably on it. Not entirely sure if it is enough to start a family comfortably, but we can 100% live off it just us.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

Hard disagree. 999,999 Iranian Rial is not enough. Minimum wage in Iran is 636,879,600 IRR.

by Big_Department_6475 1 month ago

6 figures per person sure. But everything is very expensive and taxes in that bracket hurt a lot.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

My husband and I (DINKs) make "six figures" in Seattle and we have a very comfortable lifestyle. We just can't afford to buy property, which really sucks.

by vsenger 1 month ago

6 figures is enough anywhere.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I've literally never heard anybody say 6 figured isnt enough

by gkeeling 1 month ago

Not to mention every streaming service available. I've definitely noticed that no one drives old cars anymore. Most everything I see driving around is less than 5 years old. And 9 out of 10 pickups on the street are behemoths, way more vehicle than anyone needs. We are consumers, and boy do we consume.

by Anonymous 1 month ago

I make 100K per year. I generally don't DoorDash, I drive a pretty sensible car, eat out once or so a week, max out my retirement accounts and I feel like I'm basically swimming in money.

by WorldlySolution330 1 month ago