Livability is subjective. But living comfortably can, roughly, be broken down by the “50/30/20 rule.” This means that, within an individual’s budget, 50% of earnings go to needs, like rent, 30% for wants and 20% for savings.

By that metric, it costs $93,999 per year to be comfy in the Windy City.

GoBankingRates determined that salary number based on stats like 2022 and 2021 household median income, year-over-year population growth, single-family home values and the overall cost of living. According to the personal finance site, the annual cost of living in Chicago — the “needs” — is $46,999.

The needed salary of $93,999 put Chicago somewhere in the middle of the 50 large cities under consideration. San Jose, California, was the most expensive city to live in comfortably, with a salary of $265,926.

Six of the top eight most expensive cities are in California.