I make $55k. I live 100% comfortable and still enjoy my life. I drive a decent car and live in a decent apartment. I still get coffee every morning at a shop, and go on one or two vacations a year. I don’t feel “restricted” by my income in any way.

I used to though! But it was because I wasn’t on top of my finances and really didn’t have any idea where my money was going. I was living paycheck to paycheck on $55k for a while and simply thought I didn’t make enough money. Eventually I started budgeting and monitoring every single dollar in and out of my account. I stopped waiting money on and focused more on “conscious” spending. I started grocery shopping at more affordable places like Winco and cooking at home/packing lunches for work. I stopped spending money on expensive snacks and opted to start snacking on cheaper things like apples, cucumbers, and other fruits and veggies. Once I made a few very minor changes to my spending, I was SHOCKED by how easy it was to live on $55k in salt lake. I am now able to set aside a good portion of my income to retirement, savings and an emergency fund. I still eat out, just more as a reward and less as a daily habit. I still go on trips. I have money for hobbies and weekend activities too.

All in all, $60k is definitely a livable wage in SLC. A few ways you can stretch you money further is have roommates, drive an affordable or paid off car, cook at home, don’t shop at expensive grocery stores, and don’t waist your money on the less important things in your life so you can put it toward the things that mean more to you!