A recent study underscores a growing reality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: earning a six-figure salary is increasingly necessary just to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
The report, produced by financial and travel advisory company Upgraded Points, analyzed data from the Economic Policy Institute and the U.S. Census Bureau to estimate what it takes to live comfortably in major U.S. metro areas.
The Rising Cost of Living
For years, Americans have faced rising expenses driven by persistent inflation. Housing, groceries, healthcare and transportation costs remain elevated, placing pressure on household budgets. According to the study, at the same time, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace is creating uncertainty in traditionally stable white-collar industries, adding another layer of financial concern for middle- and upper-middle-income earners.
In this climate, understanding the income needed not just to survive but to thrive has become increasingly important. The Upgraded Points study used the widely adopted 50/30/20 budget rule — which allocates 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings — to calculate the salaries required for a comfortable lifestyle across major U.S. cities.
What Comfortable Living Looks Like in DFW
The findings paint a stark picture for local residents. In Dallas-Fort Worth, a single adult with no children would need to earn roughly $107,000 annually to live comfortably. For two adults without children, the combined income required is nearly $138,000. Families face even higher thresholds: two adults with one child need just over $184,000, while a family of five would require around $265,000…