You landed the job. Six figures—actually, three hundred thousand dollars. Congratulations! You’re officially in the top 5% of American earners. Time to start house hunting, right?
Not so fast. Where you choose to live will determine whether $300K makes you legitimately wealthy or just comfortably middle class. The difference is staggering, and it’s not just about housing prices.
Let’s take that $300,000 salary and see what it actually buys in ten different American cities. The results might surprise you.
The Ground Rules
For this comparison, we’re assuming:
- Single earner, married couple, two kids
- $300,000 gross annual salary
- Standard deductions and tax filing
- Middle-of-the-market lifestyle (not lavish, not frugal)
- Housing at roughly 28% of gross income (conventional mortgage wisdom)
- All figures based on 2024-2025 data
San Francisco, California
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$185,000/year ($15,417/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: Your $7,000/month budget gets you a 1,800 sq ft, 3-bedroom home in Daly City or outer Sunset District, or a decent 2-bedroom condo in a better neighborhood. Forget about a yard unless you go 45+ minutes out. Property taxes: ~$12,000/year.
Transportation: You’ll need a car despite the transit system. Street parking is brutal. Add $300-400/month for insurance, $5.50/gallon gas, $300+ for a parking spot if you’re in a condo. Family parking garage? $600+/month.
Childcare/Education: Public schools are hit-or-miss. Many families at this income level choose private school ($25,000-45,000 per kid annually). Even after-school care runs $2,000+/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Dinner for four at a mid-range restaurant: $150-200. Groceries: $400-500/week for a family. Gym membership: $100-200/person. Everything costs more here.
The Reality: You’re comfortable but not wealthy. You’re maxing out one, maybe two financial goals: decent housing, OR private school, OR significant retirement savings. Not all three. Vacations are modest. You might feel “house poor” despite your impressive salary.
New York City, New York
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$182,000/year ($15,167/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: In Manhattan? A 2-bedroom apartment, maybe 1,000 sq ft, likely not in a doorman building. In Brooklyn (Park Slope, Cobble Hill)? A 1,200 sq ft, 2-3 bedroom in a brownstone walkup. Queens? You can get more space but longer commutes. Co-op fees or HOA can run $1,000-2,000/month on top of your mortgage.
Transportation: Many families skip car ownership entirely—that saves $800+/month. But MetroCards for the family: $150/month. Regular Ubers because you’re carrying kids and groceries: $300+/month. Weekend Zipcar rentals: $200/month.
Childcare/Education: Good public schools exist but are geographically limited (forcing housing decisions). Private school: $40,000-60,000 per kid. Nannies for younger kids: $25-30/hour.
Lifestyle: Endless activities but everything costs. Museums, shows, kids’ activities add up fast. Groceries are expensive but restaurant variety is unmatched. Social pressure to spend is real.
The Reality: You’re solidly middle-to-upper-middle class. Space is your biggest compromise. Your kids share a room well into their teens. But the cultural access and opportunity are unparalleled.
Seattle, Washington
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$213,000/year ($17,750/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A nice 2,400 sq ft, 4-bedroom home in suburbs like Redmond, Sammamish, or Kirkland. Closer to city center? 1,800-2,000 sq ft. Actual Seattle proper for single-family home? Smaller and older. Property taxes: ~$11,000/year.
Transportation: You need a car. Two cars for a family, realistically. Insurance is reasonable at $200/month per car. Gas is expensive at $4.50-5.00/gallon but traffic means you’re not driving far daily.
Childcare/Education: Public schools in suburbs are excellent. Private school exists but less common at this income level ($20,000-30,000/year). After-school care: $1,200-1,500/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Outdoor recreation is affordable and incredible. Groceries are pricey ($350-450/week). Restaurant scene is great but expensive. Coffee culture will drain your wallet if you’re not careful.
The Reality: You live well. You have space, good schools, and access to nature. You save for retirement and vacation annually. The rain is real, but you adjust. You feel financially secure.
Austin, Texas
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$220,000/year ($18,333/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A beautiful 3,000+ sq ft, 4-5 bedroom home in suburbs like Round Rock, Cedar Park, or Pflugerville with a pool and good schools. Closer to downtown? 2,200-2,500 sq ft. West Austin/Westlake (top schools)? Smaller or older. Property taxes are HIGH: ~$18,000-22,000/year (Texas funds schools through property taxes, no income tax).
Transportation: Two cars are mandatory. Insurance is reasonable. Gas is cheap ($3.00-3.50/gallon). Traffic is increasingly bad but manageable compared to SF/NYC.
Childcare/Education: Public schools in suburbs are excellent. Private school less common ($15,000-25,000/year if you choose it). After-school care: $800-1,000/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Dining out is affordable and fantastic. Groceries are reasonable ($300-350/week). Entertainment and activities cost 30-40% less than coastal cities. BBQ and Tex-Mex are life-changing. Summer heat (100°+ for months) means high AC bills.
The Reality: You’re genuinely well-off. You have space, great schools, money to travel multiple times a year, and healthy retirement contributions. Trade-off: Less cultural diversity than coasts and brutal summers.
Denver, Colorado
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$208,000/year ($17,333/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A nice 2,500 sq ft, 4-bedroom home in suburbs like Littleton, Highlands Ranch, or Louisville. Closer to downtown or Boulder? Smaller. Mountain towns like Evergreen? Possible but older homes. Property taxes: ~$10,000/year.
Transportation: Two cars needed. Insurance moderate. Gas ~$3.70/gallon. 300+ days of sunshine mean biking is a legit year-round option.
Childcare/Education: Public schools vary widely by district—research carefully. Private school: $20,000-30,000/year. After-school care: $1,000-1,200/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Outdoor paradise. Skiing, hiking, camping—lifestyle is the draw. Restaurants and entertainment are moderate cost. Groceries ~$350/week. Altitude takes adjustment.
The Reality: You live very well if outdoor recreation is your priority. You have space, good access to nature, and financial comfort. The transplant population means making friends is easier than many cities.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$210,000/year ($17,500/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A gorgeous 3,500 sq ft, 5-bedroom home in excellent school districts like Cary, Apex, or Wake Forest. New construction common. Actual yard space. Property taxes: ~$9,000/year.
Transportation: Two cars essential but cheap insurance and gas (~$3.20/gallon). Traffic is mild.
Childcare/Education: Public schools are strong, especially in suburbs. Private school available but less necessary ($12,000-20,000/year). After-school care: $700-900/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Dining and entertainment are very affordable. Groceries: $280-320/week. Four seasons with mild winters. Growing food and cultural scene. Research Triangle brings educated population.
The Reality: You’re wealthy here. Massive house, great schools, money left over for vacations, college savings, and early retirement planning. Trade-off: Less “big city” energy and slower pace.
Phoenix, Arizona
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$213,000/year ($17,750/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A 3,200 sq ft, 4-5 bedroom home with a pool in Scottsdale, Gilbert, or Chandler. Desert landscaping keeps yard maintenance low. Property taxes: ~$8,000/year.
Transportation: Two cars, cheap insurance, cheap gas ($3.30/gallon). Everyone drives, traffic exists but spreads out geographically.
Childcare/Education: Public schools vary—research districts carefully. Private school: $15,000-25,000/year. After-school care: $800-1,000/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Affordable dining and entertainment. Groceries: $300-350/week. Summer is brutal (115°+ for months)—your summer power bills can hit $400-600/month. Winter makes it all worth it.
The Reality: You’re comfortable and wealthy. Lots of space, affordable lifestyle, and great winter weather. The heat is a real consideration—summers feel like being under house arrest.
Nashville, Tennessee
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$220,000/year ($18,333/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A beautiful 3,000 sq ft, 4-bedroom home in suburbs like Franklin, Brentwood, or Spring Hill. Property taxes: ~$7,000-9,000/year.
Transportation: Two cars, cheap insurance and gas. Traffic is growing but manageable.
Childcare/Education: Good public schools in suburbs. Private school: $12,000-22,000/year. After-school care: $750-950/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Music scene is unmatched for size. Dining very affordable. Groceries: $280-320/week. Southern hospitality is real. Growing cultural diversity.
The Reality: You’re doing really well. Space, affordability, and culture. The transplant boom means it’s getting more expensive but still very livable at $300K.
Boise, Idaho
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$214,000/year ($17,833/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A 2,800 sq ft, 4-bedroom home in good school districts. Recent price surges mean it’s not the bargain it was, but still reasonable. Property taxes: ~$6,500/year.
Transportation: Two cars, cheapest insurance on this list, cheap gas ($3.40/gallon).
Childcare/Education: Public schools are decent. Private school: $8,000-15,000/year. After-school care: $650-800/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: Outdoor recreation is the lifestyle. Skiing, rafting, hiking all nearby. Small-town feel despite growth. Limited dining/cultural scene compared to bigger cities. Groceries: $280-320/week.
The Reality: You’re wealthy in Boise. Space, nature access, low costs. Trade-off: Less diversity, fewer career opportunities if you need to change jobs locally, limited direct flights.
Kansas City, Missouri
Take-Home Pay After Taxes: ~$212,000/year ($17,667/month)
What $300K Gets You:
Housing: A stunning 4,000 sq ft, 5-bedroom home in top suburbs like Leawood or Overland Park (Kansas side). Property taxes: ~$8,000-10,000/year.
Transportation: Two cars, very cheap insurance and gas ($3.00/gallon).
Childcare/Education: Excellent public schools in Kansas suburbs. Private school: $10,000-18,000/year. After-school care: $650-850/month for two kids.
Lifestyle: BBQ heaven. Affordable everything. Surprising cultural amenities (museums, arts scene). Groceries: $250-300/week. Four distinct seasons.
The Reality: You’re objectively wealthy here. Huge house, low costs, money to max out all financial goals. Trade-off: Not a household name city, less job mobility.
The Bottom Line
On $300,000, you can be:
- Comfortable but stretched in San Francisco or NYC
- Well-off and stable in Seattle or Denver
- Genuinely wealthy in Nashville, Raleigh, Phoenix, or Kansas City
The lifestyle trade-offs go beyond money: career opportunities, cultural amenities, climate, social networks, and proximity to family all matter. There’s no “best” city—only the best fit for your priorities.
The real lesson? Salary is only half the equation. Geography determines whether that salary makes you rich, comfortable, or stressed. Choose accordingly.
