re: Amount you need to earn to live comfortably by state

That must mean to live in big cities or in the more fancy suburbs near big cities. You can live in smaller towns and in rural areas in Texas for much cheaper than the number given. My in-laws and wife's siblings and cousins live in smaller towns and they don't make near that much money. They have nice cars, trucks. Nothing too fancy, but not older than 4 or 5 years. They tend to drive Honda or Toyota minivans , Tahoes, or trucks. Several of them have teens driving older cars. Their houses are older ranch style homes built in the 70s and 80s, but well kept and updated inside over the years with wood floors, ceramic tile, new paint, new countertops, etc.

I will say that I think they were wrong about California too. Its way too Iow on amount needed to live there. Its so expensive there.