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Oct 18, 2026

Where a $100K Salary Is Stretching Further: 10 Cities Seeing the Biggest Gains

Written by Gabrielle Olya
|
Edited by Ashleigh Ray
Where a $100K Salary Is Stretching Further: 10 Cities Seeing the Biggest Gains

Despite consistent inflation, a $100,000 salary is actually stretching further in many U.S. cities. According to a recent SmartAsset analysis, the average large city saw a nearly 1% increase in the real value of $100,000 from 2024 to 2025 — with one metro seeing gains of almost 7%.

These shifts reflect changes in local taxes and living costs, so where you live can dramatically affect how far a paycheck really goes.

Keep Learning: The $100K Trap: Shrink the 6 Bills Eating Up Six-Figure Paychecks in 2026

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Here's a look at the 10 cities where the purchasing power of a $100,000 salary increased the most year over year.

1. Orlando, Florida

  • Value of $100K (2025): $87,087

  • Value of $100K (2024): $81,441

  • % change year-over-year: 6.93%

2. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • Value of $100K (2025): $84,015

  • Value of $100K (2024): $79,853

  • % change year-over-year: 5.21%

3. Oakland, California

  • Value of $100K (2025): $54,466

  • Value of $100K (2024): $52,060

  • % change year-over-year: 4.62%

4. Jacksonville, Florida

  • Value of $100K (2025): $87,765

  • Value of $100K (2024): $84,509

  • % change year-over-year: 3.85%

5. Dallas

  • Value of $100K (2025): $80,103

  • Value of $100K (2024): $77,197

  • % change year-over-year: 3.76%

6. Washington

  • Value of $100K (2025): $53,222

  • Value of $100K (2024): $51,339

  • % change year-over-year: 3.67%

7. Las Vegas

  • Value of $100K (2025): $82,532

  • Value of $100K (2024): $79,705

  • % change year-over-year: 3.55%

8. Corpus Christi, Texas

  • Value of $100K (2025): $91,110

  • Value of $100K (2024): $88,015

  • % change year-over-year: 3.52%

9. Omaha, Nebraska

  • Value of $100K (2025): $83,112

  • Value of $100K (2024): $80,353

  • % change year-over-year: 3.43%

10. Raleigh, North Carolina

  • Value of $100K (2025): $79,318

  • Value of $100K (2024): $76,731

  • % change year-over-year: 3.37%

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Gabrielle Olya
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Gabrielle brings with her over a decade of experience in financial journalism. Prior to writing for GOBankingRates and MoneyLion, she was a staff writer-reporter for People Magazine and People.com. Her work has also appeared on E! Online, Us Weekly, Patch, Sweety High and Discover Los Angeles, and she has been featured on “Good Morning America” as a celebrity news expert.
Ashleigh Ray
Edited by
Ashleigh Ray
Ashleigh is an editor specializing in personal finance and banking content, with four years of experience — first at GOBankingRates, then at MoneyLion — turning complex financial topics into advice readers can actually understand and use. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of South Florida and brings that same care for clarity and voice to every piece she edits. She's based in Tampa, Florida.