10 cities where your paycheck will go the furthest (2026)

Trying to make the most of cities where paycheck will? You are in the right place. Below we break it down in plain English, with practical tips you can actually use.

Key Takeaways

• Advertisement Wouldn’t it be nice to get a high paying job in an area where the cost of living isn’t through the roof?
• Those cities do still exist, according to a CareerCast.com study.
• 10 best cities for return on salary Using salary and cost of living data, the jobs website rounded up a list of 10 cities where people looki...

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Wouldn’t it be nice to get a high paying job in an area where the cost of living isn’t through the roof? Those cities do still exist, according to a CareerCast.com study.

10 best cities for return on salary

Using salary and cost of living data, the jobs website rounded up a list of 10 cities where people looking to maximize their dollar will want to consider.

CareerCast.com said there were two recurring themes: the state of Texas and cities with major universities.

As you scroll through this list, take note of the median household income, unemployment rate and cost of living statistics for each city.

Read more: 10 cities where you can live large on a $60,000 salary or less

Austin, Texas

• Median household income: $63,603
• Average cost of living (per national average): -6%
• Unemployment rate: 2.9%

Columbus, Ohio

• Median household income: $56,371
• Average cost of living (per national average): -10%
• Unemployment rate: 3.8%

Durham, North Carolina

• Median household income: $51,988
• Average cost of living (per national average): -8%
• Unemployment rate: 4.2%

Fort Worth-Arlington Metro, Texas

• Median household income: $52,430
• Average cost of living (per national average): 0%
• Unemployment rate: 3.5%

Houston, Texas

• Median household income: $60,072
• Average cost of living (per national average): -1%
• Unemployment rate: 4.8%

Lincoln, Nebraska

• Median household income: $52,046
• Average cost of living (per national average): -10%
• Unemployment rate: 2.5%

Midland, Texas

• Median household income: $77,574
• Average cost of living (per national average): -3%
• Unemployment rate: 4.3%

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Median household income: $52,293
• Average cost of living (per national average): -4%
• Unemployment rate: 5.7%

Tucson, Arizona

• Median household income: $45,856
• Average cost of living (per national average): -2%
• Unemployment rate: 5.0%

Wausau, Wisconsin

• Median household income: $53,300
• Average cost of living (per national average): -9%
• Unemployment rate: 3.4% 

If you’re looking for a new job, we have several other lists you’ll want to check out: 50 best places to work in 2017, 11 jobs that pay $100,000 or more and 10 most endangered  jobs in America.

Read more: The #1 way to stop living paycheck to paycheck

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Final Thoughts

Before you check out, double-check cities where paycheck will against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at clark.com.