Salary Rankings · 2026
Cities Where $21,000 Goes Furthest
Ranked by savings potential: take-home pay minus rent and estimated living costs
Mitchell
South Dakota
-$2,567
savings/year
Fort Smith
Arkansas
-$3,864
savings/year
Weirton
West Virginia
-$3,907
savings/year
Full Rankings
Sorted by annual savings potential
| # | City | Take-Home | 1BR Rent | Tax Rate | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | MitchellSouth Dakotabudget | $18,793 | $900/mo | 10.51% | –$2,567 |
| 🥈 | Fort SmithArkansasbudget | $17,976 | $950/mo | 14.4% | –$3,864 |
| 🥉 | WeirtonWest Virginiabudget | $18,053 | $950/mo | 14.03% | –$3,907 |
| 4 | AberdeenSouth Dakotabudget | $18,793 | $1,000/mo | 10.51% | –$4,007 |
| 5 | WatertownSouth Dakotabudget | $18,793 | $1,000/mo | 10.51% | –$4,007 |
| 6 | MeridianMississippibudget | $17,806 | $950/mo | 15.21% | –$4,154 |
| 7 | JonesboroArkansasbudget | $17,976 | $1,000/mo | 14.4% | –$4,704 |
| 8 | Grand IslandNebraskabudget | $18,095 | $1,000/mo | 13.83% | –$4,705 |
| 9 | TopekaKansasbudget | $18,013 | $1,000/mo | 14.22% | –$4,787 |
| 10 | WaterlooIowabudget | $17,995 | $1,000/mo | 14.31% | –$4,805 |
| 11 | ParkersburgWest Virginiabudget | $18,053 | $1,000/mo | 14.03% | –$4,807 |
| 12 | LawtonOklahomabudget | $17,984 | $1,000/mo | 14.36% | –$4,816 |
| 13 | MontgomeryAlabamabudget | $17,908 | $1,000/mo | 14.72% | –$4,892 |
| 14 | ButteMontanabudget | $17,796 | $1,000/mo | 15.26% | –$5,004 |
| 15 | ShreveportLouisianabudget | $18,264 | $1,050/mo | 13.03% | –$5,136 |
| 16 | ConwayArkansasbudget | $17,976 | $1,050/mo | 14.4% | –$5,364 |
| 17 | KearneyNebraskabudget | $18,095 | $1,050/mo | 13.83% | –$5,365 |
| 18 | FremontNebraskabudget | $18,095 | $1,050/mo | 13.83% | –$5,365 |
| 19 | Grand ForksNorth Dakotabudget | $18,793 | $1,100/mo | 10.51% | –$5,447 |
| 20 | MinotNorth Dakotabudget | $18,793 | $1,100/mo | 10.51% | –$5,447 |
| 21 | ToledoOhiobudget | $18,793 | $1,100/mo | 10.51% | –$5,447 |
| 22 | DaytonOhiobudget | $18,793 | $1,100/mo | 10.51% | –$5,447 |
| 23 | BrookingsSouth Dakotabudget | $18,793 | $1,100/mo | 10.51% | –$5,447 |
| 24 | MemphisTennesseebudget | $18,793 | $1,100/mo | 10.51% | –$5,447 |
| 25 | HuntingtonWest Virginiabudget | $18,053 | $1,050/mo | 14.03% | –$5,467 |
| 26 | WheelingWest Virginiabudget | $18,053 | $1,050/mo | 14.03% | –$5,467 |
| 27 | RoswellNew Mexicobudget | $18,043 | $1,050/mo | 14.08% | –$5,477 |
| 28 | Sioux CityIowabudget | $17,995 | $1,050/mo | 14.31% | –$5,525 |
| 29 | JacksonMississippibudget | $17,806 | $1,050/mo | 15.21% | –$5,594 |
| 30 | MobileAlabamabudget | $17,908 | $1,050/mo | 14.72% | –$5,612 |
Hardest Cities on a $21,000 Salary
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city makes a $21,000 salary go furthest?
Mitchell, South Dakota ranks #1 for a $21,000 salary, with a savings potential of -$2,567 per year after rent and basic expenses. The effective tax rate in South Dakota is 10.51%, and the average 1BR rent is $900/month.
How is the ranking calculated?
Each city is ranked by annual savings potential: take-home pay (after all taxes) minus annual rent (1BR) minus estimated other living costs (food, transport, utilities). Cities in states with no income tax and lower rents score highest.
Which state offers the best tax situation for a $21,000 salary?
States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada) preserve more take-home pay. Combined with lower rents in cities like Memphis, these locations typically top the rankings.