If there was a certain salary range that you believe would make you the happiest and feel the most fulfilled, what do you think that amount would be? According to a research study, the amount is $75,000.
The data showed that most people in the U.S are happy and satisfied with their lives
- 85% reported a lot of happiness
- 24% reported sadness or worry
- 39% reported stress
- Comparing the U.S. evaluation scores with data available from approximately 150 other countries, the U.S. ranks high. Nations with higher scores than the U.S. were Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland and New Zealand.
In 2010, the poverty level for a family of 4 was $22,314,and 15.3% of Americans earned an amount at the poverty level or less. The median household income is $49,445 in the U.S.
I’m not really sure what my happiness salary amount would be. I’m pretty happy right now, but our yearly income already is around that $75,000 amount, but I feel like I could probably be happier. We also don’t have kids. So our income works for us now, but I’m not really too sure if it would work once we have kids.
Our goal is also to have more land and a big backyard (the BF’s family has a couple hundred acres), so we definitely want some sort of acreage. Definitely can’t afford that on our salaries.
However, money wise, I wouldn’t say that we are unhappy at all. If there was a time that we desperately needed something, we DO have things that we could trim in our budget. Cable, cars, entertainment, food, cell phones and other stuff could all be trimmed or eliminated.
So compared to others, I would say that we are definitely happy with our income.
So what about you, what amount would you be ultimately happy with?
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Tanner says
I honestly don't think I could put a pricetag on what amount of money would make me happy. I mean, I am pretty happy right now, even if it is challenging as I am paying down debts. To have a few couple hundred dollars would mean I may have to contribute it to my parents, so it is a bit of a lose-meh situation. Though once all my debts are paid and I have moved, I'd be more than happy living with a 38k income. Anything above that would just be icing and cherries on the cake.
Jennifer says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer says
(sorry for deleting, but I made an error I wanted to correct) Coming from someone that grew up in poverty, decided early that I would NOT live my adult life that way and went to college, met and married a wonderful man with a great education and great salary to go with it, no amount is ever enough – you always spend to that level. Granted, I have 4 kids and it seems overwhelming, but we managed at 1/2 of what we make and it felt the same. Maybe it will feel different when all the kids are grown and gone, but I am not sure it will.
shoppingtosaving says
ahahah are we twins??? i'll have to link your post to mine too 😛
shoppingtosaving says
I remember reading this article before too and thinking that would not be enough, esp in southern california. BF and I make about $100k total and we don't pay rent. I think this is the ideal income range if we didn't have to pay for rent or a mortgage. Otherwise sadly I think the way we want to live…..we'd have to make about $175k total.
Stephanie says
I won't know for sure until we tally up our various W-2's and 1099's and fill out a Schedule C at tax time (we have a lot of side hustles that bring in a little extra cash here and there!), but I'd guess our household income is close to that $75,000 mark. We don't have any kids yet, though. I think we could pretty easily get by on that amount with a couple of kids since we already live pretty well below our means, but I think having income of around $90-100k would be ideal if we wanted to have kids, maintain our current standard of living and savings rate, plus save up for a few of the home improvements we'd like to do (the big one right now is turn the side porch into a sun room, but I'd say that's at LEAST 5 years down the road!).And I have to say, every time I see these statistics about poverty levels and median household income, I feel so grateful for everything I have, even if there are also lots of people who have way more, because there are also so many people who have way less. And I'm also grateful that I don't feel so attached to life's little luxuries, because if we ever had to cut back I feel like we could survive on a much lower income!
Michelle P says
Home prices are pretty low where I live (you can get an average house for around $150K) so this helps a lot.Jennifer, I agree, you always what you make, that's true for most people.$75K definitely wouldn't be enough for Southern California!Stephanie, we want to turn our side porch into a sun room also. Have you looked at prices for that? I've had kind of a hard time.
McVal says
I think we would be happier with what we made if we weren't bogged down with so much debt… We made some stupid decisions over the years and are working to get ourselves out of those messes. Otherwise, we'd be downright giddy with what we make!
Stephanie says
I haven't seriously looked into prices yet, I only had the idea maybe a month or two ago. but I'd guess it'd probably run around $15-20k. Maybe more depending on the size. And I'd definitely want to pay cash for it, which is why I'd say it's at least 5 years off, unless we see a big increase in income in the next couple of years. 😉
Krysten @ Why Girls says
I just want to be able to pay my bills and have enough leftover to live on. As long as I don't want to worry about breaking to bank I'm good to go.
Newlyweds on a Budge says
jointly, we make around the same amount as you, maybe a little more (although not this past year, since my husband didn't work for five months). but we also live in southern california, and it is just NOT enough. if my husband made the same salary as me, we would be a lot better off. hopefully soon!
Julie Khuu says
This is really interesting…I find that at long as I'm doing what I love (interior design)…money doesn't even matter!Great post!xo-JuliePeace. Love. LOL! <a href="http://www.HauteKhuuture.com<br” target=”_blank”>www.HauteKhuuture.com<br />p.s. Giveaway on my blog- Enter to win a FREE pair of shoes!!
Meg {henninglove} says
i think it is hard to put a value on how much i would want to be happy. because with money nce you have some you want more and want and the amount can just keep growing. i think you gotta realize money truly doesn't buy you happiness, the real thing in life, family and love is what does.
Amanda says
Money doesn't buy happiness. And I'm happy now. I would love to be making more, and I know my ultimate salary goal, but I'm 23 right now, and making more than a lot of people I know and are my age. I'm genuinely happy with that and I work hard to get to the point where I'll be making more.
Serendipity says
I think ideally, Rambo and I would like to make 125,000 a year. I myself want 60-70 for me!
Alexis L., The Studi says
Living in NYC, it's really hard to know how much would be enough for permanent contentment but since we were able to scrounge up enough money to buy an apartment and live pretty well, I'm at peace with things as they are. I'd find it pretty hard to live with two adults in on an income less than six figures, though.
Britt+Whit says
Oooh that is hard, I would say the higher the salary the happier you are, but that is not really the case, bc sometimes the more u have the less happy you are. Very thought provoking-I like it!love from San Francisco,Britt+Whit
Stephanie @ Blonde H says
That is such an interesting study! I had no idea. I'm not sure what my amount would be… however with lots of student loans and cc debt, it would probably be more!?!?!Hope you have a great weekend! XOXO
Anonymous says
Though I read that study a few weeks ago, the timing of this post is humbling and exactly what I needed to read at the moment. I'm single and live on my own in a fairly expensive city and make enough money to save 50% on my income per month (after living, fun and debt have all been factored in)…and just a few days ago I was grumbling that I don't make enough money.Meanwhile, I personally know people who are living in poverty, not to mention the millions in Canada and the US who are currently un-employed/ under-employed etc. etc.I needed this reminder that I have A LOT to be grateful for (and normally I am, I've just had a very selfish week apparently).Thanks.V,
Michelle P says
Thanks everyone. You all had very good points!
Laura says
Just found your blog and am a new follower! Love this post…really gets you thinking!
Anne Sabine says
This is an interesting question. I'm pretty happy now and I make way less than 75K right now. But, I also don't have rent/a mortgage, kids, etc. There is a study done that shows that there is a level of wealth one can reach and after that, there is no additional marginal benefit from extra money. That's something I'd be interested in finding out for me and getting there as soon as I can!
~Carla~ says
Well, I'm happy, and we would be classified as "poor" in the U.S. and are "poor" here as well. And have 4 kids, not the "average 2.5". 😉 lol! I try to live by the saying, "if you want to be happy, be." 🙂
Mortgage free Mike says
This is so funny! I saw a link to this story on Budgeting in the Fun Stuff. When I saw the title of the post, I said: $75,000! Just like what the survey said. Not sure why I said that number because my salary is close to that. I guess it just feels like enough to pay all of my expenses and have plenty left over.
DNN says
Living the dot com life as a side hustle millionaire and knowing I’m immune to never working for an unthankful employer ever again in life is good enough for me. 🙂