For recent graduates, young professionals or folks considering a career change, affordability of housing often becomes the deciding factor in where they choose to look for a job. Of course, we all want to make the highest possible salary, but a souped-up paycheck in a city with sky-high rent won’t do you much good since you’ll have very little left over each month once you’ve paid your landlord.

25. Tempe, AZ

Average salary: $71,290
Average rent: $1,259
After-rent salary: $56,182
% income after rent: 79%

24. Houston, TX

Average salary: $79,579
Average rent: $1,401
After-rent salary: $62,767
% income after rent: 79%

23. Greenville, SC

Average salary: $68,675
Average rent: $1,201
After-rent salary: $54,263
% income after rent: 79%

22. Dallas, TX

Average salary: $82,609
Average rent: $1,422
After-rent salary: $65,545
% income after rent: 79%

21. Irving, TX

Average salary: $77,527
Average rent: $1,327
After-rent salary: $61,603
% income after rent: 79%

20. Raleigh, NC

Average salary: $78,391
Average rent: $1,323
After-rent salary: $62,515
% income after rent: 80%

19. Cincinnati, OH

Average salary: $74,927
Average rent: $1,260
After-rent salary: $59,807
% income after rent: 80%

18. College Station, TX

Average salary: $55,086
Average rent: $906
After-rent salary: $44,214
% income after rent: 80%

17. Cleveland, OH

Average salary: $72,636
Average rent: $1,168
After-rent salary: $58,620
% income after rent: 81%

16. Columbus, OH

Average salary: $71,341
Average rent: $1,139
After-rent salary: $57,673
% income after rent: 81%

15. Kansas City, MO

Average salary: $73,869
Average rent: $1,178
After-rent salary: $59,733
% income after rent: 81%

14. Detroit, MI

Average salary: $81,197
Average rent: $1,292
After-rent salary: $65,693
% income after rent: 81%

13. Phoenix, AZ

Average salary: $74,519
Average rent: $1,178
After-rent salary: $60,383
% income after rent: 81%

12. Louisville, KY

Average salary: $66,832
Average rent: $1,049
After-rent salary: $54,244
% income after rent: 81%

11. Indianapolis, IN

Average salary: $70,284
Average rent: $1,102
After-rent salary: $57,060
% income after rent: 81%

10. Omaha, NE

Average salary: $65,089
Average rent: $1,009
After-rent salary: $52,981
% income after rent: 81%

9. Grand Rapids, MI

Average salary: $68,546
Average rent: $1,048
After-rent salary: $55,970
% income after rent: 82%

8. Birmingham, AL

Average salary: $73,758
Average rent: $1,120
After-rent salary: $60,318
% income after rent: 82%

7. Fort Worth, TX

Average salary: $75,797
Average rent: $1,108
After-rent salary: $62,501
% income after rent: 82%

6. Columbia, SC

Average salary: $68,541
Average rent: $999
After-rent salary: $56,553
% income after rent: 83%

5. Memphis, TN

Average salary: $69,866
Average rent: $984
After-rent salary: $58,058
% income after rent: 83%

4. Las Vegas, NV

Average salary: $74,199
Average rent: $1,038
After-rent salary: $61,743
% income after rent: 83%

3. Oklahoma City, OK

Average salary: $73,132
Average rent: $958
After-rent salary: $61,636
% income after rent: 84%

2. Lexington, KY

Average salary: $69,917
Average rent: $889
After-rent salary: $59,249
% income after rent: 85%

1. Tulsa, OK

Average salary: $68,147
Average rent: $863
After-rent salary: $57,791
% income after rent: 85%

Conclusion

There’s no doubt you’ll consider probably dozens of factors when thinking about where it is you want to make a life for yourself. But for most of us, having ample disposable income, regardless of what city we call home, is one of the best ways to ensure that we can lead the kinds of lives we want.

If it’s time for you to make your first start, or just a fresh start, a clear-eyed examination of hard data is the best place to begin. Whether you choose the winning entry on this list, Tulsa, or another city, be sure you’ve done your homework and are certain you’ll be able to get a lot of bang for your buck.

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