How Far $100K Goes in America’s 22 Best Small Midwest Towns
How Far $100K Goes in America’s 22 Best Small Midwest Towns
Heather TaylorSat, March 28, 2026 at 12:05 PM UTC
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jacoblund / Getty Images/iStockphoto
There are certain Midwestern towns where earning a six-figure salary means enjoying five figures worth of leftover savings. According to GOBankingRates’ in-house research, there are 22 Midwest towns where residents can earn $100,000 annually and have $15,000 (or more) leftover in savings.
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For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed small towns with a population between 1,000 and 10,000 residents and a livability index of at least 85 to represent places with the best quality of life. Assuming a $100,000 salary annually and paid bi-weekly with no overtime, the take-home pay was calculated using ADP’s Salary Paycheck Calculator. From there, the take-home pay was calculated and used with the cost of living for necessities to find the leftover savings in each town. We kept the Midwest locales with $15,000 or greater in leftover savings for this article.
Here’s how far $100,000 can go in 22 small Midwest towns. Don’t forget to explore our original study on how far this money goes in America’s 50 best small towns.
Paul Brady Photography / Shutterstock.com1. Jerome, Illinois -
Total population: 1,910
Annual cost of necessities: $33,723
Net after taxes on $100K: $70,864
Leftover savings after cost of living: $37,140
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J.C. Marciniak / Getty Images/iStockphoto2. Mogadore, Ohio -
Total population: 3,737
Annual cost of necessities: $39,282
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $33,781
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Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto3. Holdrege, Nebraska -
Total population: 5,503
Annual cost of necessities: $37,533
Net after taxes on $100K: $71,166
Leftover savings after cost of living: $33,633
Ron_Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto4. Bluffton, Ohio -
Total population: 3,799
Annual cost of necessities: $39,791
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $33,271
aceshot / Getty Images/iStockphoto5. Deer Park, Ohio -
Total population: 5,380
Annual cost of necessities: $41,043
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $32,020
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f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto6. Maplewood, Missouri -
Total population: 8,154
Annual cost of necessities: $41,821
Net after taxes on $100K: $71,976
Leftover savings after cost of living: $30,155
Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com7. Kimberly, Wisconsin -
Total population: 7,432
Annual cost of necessities: $40,863
Net after taxes on $100K: $70,835
Leftover savings after cost of living: $29,972
Michael Shake / Shutterstock.com8. Sherwood, Ohio -
Total population: 3,259
Annual cost of necessities: $44,872
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $28,191
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Davel5957 / Getty Images9. Fairlawn, Ohio -
Total population: 7,689
Annual cost of necessities: $45,172
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $27,890
StanRohrer / Getty Images10. Canfield, Ohio -
Total population: 7,651
Annual cost of necessities: $45,470
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $27,593
Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto11. Sioux Center, Iowa -
Total population: 8,335
Annual cost of necessities: $45,533
Net after taxes on $100K: $72,464
Leftover savings after cost of living: $26,931
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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images12. Leland Grove, Illinois -
Total population: 1,595
Annual cost of necessities: $45,581
Net after taxes on $100K: $70,864
Leftover savings after cost of living: $25,283
Ron_Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto13. Minerva Park, Ohio -
Total population: 2,095
Annual cost of necessities: $47,898
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $25,165
hartfordphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto14. Lauderdale, Minnesota -
Total population: 2,386
Annual cost of necessities: $45,690
Net after taxes on $100K: $69,870
Leftover savings after cost of living: $24,180
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Andrew Jameson / Wikimedia Commons15. Lathrup Village, Michigan -
Total population: 4,049
Annual cost of necessities: $47,633
Net after taxes on $100K: $71,536
Leftover savings after cost of living: $23,902
leightrail / Getty Images16. Savoy, Illinois -
Total population: 8,807
Annual cost of necessities: $48,933
Net after taxes on $100K: $70,864
Leftover savings after cost of living: $21,931
TheBestShots / Shutterstock.com17. Ottawa Hills, Ohio -
Total population: 4,796
Annual cost of necessities: $51,674
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $21,388
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traveler1116 / Getty Images18. Glendale, Ohio -
Total population: 1,977
Annual cost of necessities: $52,560
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $20,502
MattGush / Getty Images19. Hales Corners, Wisconsin -
Total population: 7,627
Annual cost of necessities: $50,848
Net after taxes on $100K: $70,835
Leftover savings after cost of living: $19,987
Nickdelrosario / Getty Images/iStockphoto20. Kohler, Wisconsin -
Total population: 2,136
Annual cost of necessities: $51,877
Net after taxes on $100K: $70,835
Leftover savings after cost of living: $18,958
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Runner1928 / Wikimedia Commons21. Falcon Heights, Minnesota -
Total population: 5,145
Annual cost of necessities: $52,817
Net after taxes on $100K: $69,870
Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,053
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto22. Wyoming, Ohio -
Total population: 8,712
Annual cost of necessities: $57,534
Net after taxes on $100K: $73,062
Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,529
Explore more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.
Photo disclaimer: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city/county mentioned in the article was used.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the best small towns across the United States to find out how far a $100,000 salary, after taxes, will go in each city. First the small towns were identified using the U.S. Census 2023 5-year American Community Survey. To qualify as a small town, the total population had to be between 1,000 and 10,000. The total households, population ages 65 and over, and median household income were also sourced from the U.S. Census 2023 5-year ACS. For each city, the livability index was sourced from AreaVibes, and in order to qualify for this study, the livability index had to be at least 85 — representing the places with the best quality of life. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces for the remaining best small towns, and using the average expenditure costs for all households as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for all consumer units, the average expenditure costs can be calculated. The average single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index, and by assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost can be calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities were calculated for each location. Assuming a $100,000 salary, the take-home pay was calculated using ADP’s Salary Paycheck Calculator. The calculator assumed a $100,000 salary a year paid bi-weekly, with no overtime, filing federal taxes as a single (only works one job), does not have any money coming out for deductions or dependents, is not exempt from any specific federal or state taxes, claims 1 exemption on state taxes, does not pay into insurance, and does pay 4% of their income to a 401(k). Using these filters, the take-home pay in each state was calculated and used with cost of living for necessities to find the leftover savings. The cities were then sorted to show the highest leftover savings first, representing the most affordable among the best small towns. All data was collected on and is up to date as of September 8th, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Far $100K Goes in America’s 22 Best Small Midwest Towns
Source: “AOL Money”
