How to budget $70,000 (2024)

FAQs

How to budget $70,000? ›

The rule recommends that you allocate 50 percent of your budget for essentials (housing, transportation, utilities and groceries), 20 percent toward financial priorities (retirement contributions, savings, and debt payments), and the remaining 30 percent for bonus (read: fun) lifestyle expenses.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics's most recent data (May 2022), the average salary nationwide is $61,900, which means that $70,000 is a common salary — but above the national average.

How much does a 70K A Year make? As of Apr 25, 2024, the average annual pay for a 70K A Year in the United States is $44,728 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $21.50 an hour. This is the equivalent of $860/week or $3,727/month.

The 60-20-20 budgeting rule offers a straightforward and effective approach to managing your finances on a $60,000 salary. By dividing your income into clear categories and sticking to these limits, you can ensure that you're covering your essentials, saving for the future, and still enjoying the present.

Here's how you can save $1 million for retirement on an annual salary of $70,000. Consistently saving a small percentage of your salary is a simple way to ensure you're prepared for retirement. As a rule of thumb, most financial advisors suggest you save 10% to 15% of your earnings.

If you make $70K a year, you can likely afford a new home between $290,000 and $310,000*. That translates to a monthly house payment between $2,000 and $2,500, which includes your monthly mortgage payment, taxes, and home insurance.

If you are a single person in Los Angeles making around $70,000 a year, you are still considered low-income, according to a new statewide study. The California Department of Housing and Community Development released the report in June and found that income limits have increased in most counties across California.

Middle Class Income in 2024

But data from the U.S. Census Bureau cites a different number as the average salary: just under $75,000. What does this all mean? By the Census data, it means that if you earn between $50,000 and $150,000 a year, you are considered middle class.

Breaking down the math to apply the 28 percent rule, here's how much you can afford in housing payments on your salary: $70,000 per year is about $5,833 per month. 28 percent of $5,833 equals $1,633, so that's the upper limit on how much you should spend on monthly housing costs.

If you make $70,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $33.65.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

30% Spending 30% of your income on rent is a rule of thumb. It allows you to afford comfortable housing, still have enough money left for other living expenses, and contribute toward your savings goals. 30% will get you a comfortable, decent apartment on a regular, medium income.

The simple answer to “How much rent can I afford?” Experts recommend renters spend no more than 25% to 30% of their monthly income on rent. So, for example, if you make $60,000 per year, your rent and renters insurance shouldn't go higher than $18,000—or $1,500 per month.

One common benchmark is to have two times your annual salary in net worth by age 35. So, for example, say that you earn the U.S. median income of $74,500. This means that you will want to have $740,500 saved up by age 67. To reach this goal, at age 35 you may want to have about $149,000 in savings.

Saving $1,500 per month may be a good amount if it's feasible. In general, save as much as you can to reach your goals, whether that's $50 or $1,500. You could speak with a certified financial planner to help develop a plan for your finances if you aren't sure how much money to save regularly.

Saving $1,000 per month can be a good sign, as it means you're setting aside money for emergencies and long-term goals. However, if you're ignoring high-interest debt to meet your savings goals, you might want to switch gears and focus on paying off debt first.

Based on that figure, an annual income of $500,000 or more would make you rich. The Economic Policy Institute uses a different baseline to determine who constitutes the top 1% and the top 5%. For 2021, you're in the top 1% if you earn $819,324 or more each year. The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year.

For savings, aim to keep three to six months' worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account, but note that any amount can be beneficial in a financial emergency. For checking, an ideal amount is generally one to two months' worth of living expenses plus a 30% buffer.

Assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year fixed-rate loan at an interest rate of 7 percent, you can afford the payments on a $240,000 home, according to Bankrate's mortgage calculator.