Salary Needed to Live in Erie as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $46,955/year to live comfortably in Erie, PA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $46,955/year to live comfortably in Erie, PA. The bare-minimum salary is $40,433/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,739.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,426/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $3,913/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$46,955
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$40,433
$3,369/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,426
33% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Erie
| Expense | Erie | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $609 | $1,351 | -55% |
| Groceries | $202 | $207 | -2% |
| Utilities | $135 | $169 | -20% |
| Transportation | $188 | $316 | -41% |
| Car Insurance | $182 | $229 | -21% |
| Health Insurance | $582 | $690 | -16% |
| Internet | $53 | $65 | -18% |
| Phone | $70 | $85 | -18% |
| Dining & Social | $246 | $300 | -18% |
| Entertainment | $98 | $120 | -18% |
| Personal Care | $61 | $75 | -19% |
| Total Monthly | $2,426 | $3,607 | -33% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,426
Target savings (10%):$313/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,739
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$46,955
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$609
Studio/1BR rent is 25% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus PA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$313/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
82/100
Erie is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $609/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $528/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $40,433/year as the survival floor and $46,955/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Erie
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Erie?
A single person needs approximately $46,955/year ($3,913/month gross) to live comfortably in Erie with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Erie?
A studio/1br in Erie costs approximately $609/month, which is the largest single expense at 25% of the total budget.
Is Erie affordable for a single person?
Yes, Erie is 33% more affordable than the national average for a single person.