Maine Residents Now Need to Earn $101K a Year to Live Comfortably

American families are facing a convergence of economic pressures that are redefining what it means to live comfortably. After years of elevated inflation, the cost of essentials — from housing and groceries to transportation and health care — remains persistently high. At the same time, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace is introducing new uncertainty in traditionally stable white-collar industries, adding to financial strain for many middle- and upper-middle-income earners.

In this environment, understanding how much income is needed not just to get by, but to live comfortably, is top of mind for many Americans. This report from Upgraded Points, a company that provides advice on credit card reward programs and other financial products, applies the 50/30/20 budget rule — a widely used framework for balancing needs, wants, and savings — to estimate the income required to maintain a comfortable standard of living across the largest U.S. metro areas and all 50 states.