America’s most affordable city where a $68,000 salary is enough to live comfortably

With the cost of everything from groceries to rents eye-wateringly high, millions of Americans are trying to make ends meet.

And those who live in certain zip codes have it worse than others.

For example, residents of California’s tech hub San Jose must bring home $266,000 a year to cover the costs of housing, put food on the table and live comfortably, a shocking new study says.

The personal finance website GOBanking Rates also identified major US cities where straight salaries go a little further.

Those looking for a comfortable life with a typical income of less than $80,000 a year should consider Detroit, researchers say.

The Michigan hub of about 638,000 residents offers the best value for money among America’s 50 largest urban centers, researchers say.

According to the study, Detroit residents only need a household income of $64,849 to live a safe and enjoyable life.

Despite high inflation, monthly costs in Detroit have remained relatively stable, cementing Detroit’s position as the most affordable city in America.

The so-called ‘Motor City’ was once an industrial powerhouse and home to the largest automakers in the US.

But the demise of the major automakers, coupled with the mortgage crisis, drove millions of people from their homes in the 2000s as their properties were left worthless.

Less than twenty years ago, one in five homes stood empty, as foreclosures piled up and properties on deserted streets changed hands for one dollar.

But as the auto industry – this time with an emphasis on electric vehicles – begins to pick up again, the value of homes in the city has risen rapidly.

Despite the short-term price increase, Detroit still remains affordable, as much of the growth has been catching up after years of decline.

The city, known as the birthplace of Motown music, is beginning to recover after decades of urban decline.

The restoration of the Michigan Central train station, completed this year, was just the latest in a series of urban renewal projects that have turned Detroit into a tourist destination.

Researchers found nine other cities where a similar lifestyle could be achieved with a regular salary.

“Living in a big city is not just for the super-rich,” the study says.

“There are at least ten American cities with more than 396,000 residents where you can live comfortably on a salary of less than $80,000 a year.

Memphis, Tennessee, Wichita, Kansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City rounded out the top five.

El Paso, Texas, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Kansas City, Missouri rounded out the top 10.

Memphis was one of three southern locations included on the list.

A comfortable life in the city of 630,000, home of rock ‘n’ roll music, can be achieved with an income of just $66,000, the study found.

Third place went to Wichita, a city of about 396,000 known for its history in aircraft manufacturing, where an income of $73,207 provides a comfortable life.

Researchers used data from the US Census American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey and other sources.

They used the cost of mortgages and daily expenses to calculate the typical cost of living for each city.

They defined “comfortable living” as an income twice the normal cost of living.

Researchers also followed the so-called “50/30/20 rule,” which provides guidelines for sensible household budgets.

It suggests that 50 percent of after-tax income should be spent on “needs,” 30 percent on “wants,” and the remaining 20 percent on savings and debt repayment.