Houston, TX: $60,795

Income needed: $60,795

50 percent for necessities: $30,397

30 percent for discretionary spending: $18,238

20 percent for savings: $12,159

The median household income in Houston is just $45,728, which is not enough to match the high cost of living in the city, resulting in a gap of $15,067 between the median income and the ideal income to live comfortably.