See The New 'American Dream' Incomes For These VA Cities

VIRGINIA — How much money does it take to live comfortably in Virginia in 2025?

This is a question on the minds of many Commonwealth residents amid skyrocketing home and grocery prices and as their salaries fail to meet past standards of living in the United States.

Whereas a six-figure income was often categorized as the benchmark household income to allow the average person to achieve that elusive "American Dream," this amount of money is quickly becoming a non-negotiable factor for enjoying a good life, according to a new study by finance website GOBankingRates.com — especially for families living in the most populous U.S. cities.

To determine the household income necessary for achieving the American dream, GOBankingRates analyzed the 50 largest U.S. cities based on population and other factors, such as annual grocery and child care costs and monthly mortgage expenses.

The annual cost of living was calculated using average mortgage and expenditure costs and the total cost of living was then doubled to find the amount of household income necessary for a comfortable lifestyle.

According to the analysis, Washington, D.C. is the city with the highest salary required for achieving the American dream. To live comfortably, residents must earn $189,306 annually.

Significantly less is needed if you live in Virginia Beach, which came in at No. 28 on the list. To live comfortably, Virginia Beach residents must earn $123,950 annually.

Here's a look at other costs associated with living in these cities, according to GOBankingRates:

Washington, D.C.

• Household income for the American dream: $189,306
• Total annual cost of living: $94,653
• Grocery costs per year: $10,339
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,165
• Child care cost per year: $51,069

Virginia Beach

• Household income for the American dream: $123,950
• Total annual cost of living: $61,975
• Grocery costs per year: $9,088
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,453
• Child care cost per year: $25,084

In addition to Washington, D.C., Boston ($175,628), New York ($173,006), San Francisco ($172,340) and San Jose ($167,958) each ranked in the top five. A salary of at least $167,000 is needed for a comfortable lifestyle in these five high cost-of-living metros.

Nine California cities ranked in the top 50, the most from any state. To achieve the American dream in San Francisco (No. 4), San Jose (No. 5), Oakland (No. 6), Los Angeles (No. 7), Long Beach (No. 8), San Diego (No. 10), Sacramento (No. 13), Fresno (No. 15) and Bakersfield (No. 7), residents must earn a minimum of $143,000 annually.

See the full analysis at GOBankingRates.com.