Australians debate the salary needed to be ‘truly comfortable’ in 2026: ‘It’s not $100,000 anymore’

Australians have revealed the exact salary they believe would make them feel ‘truly comfortable’ in 2026 – and the answers ranged from unsurprising to grim.

One man sparked a fascinating discussion after asking the burning question: ‘What salary in Australia makes you actually feel like you’ve made it?’

‘I’m not talking about private jets or luxury sports cars. I just mean that baseline number where you can finally stop calculating the total in your head while tapping your card at the petrol station or ordering dinner,’ he said.

‘The point where booking a week away doesn’t mean eating instant noodles for the next three months, and a sudden $800 mechanic bill is just a massive annoyance rather than a budget-destroying emergency.

‘I know it depends on your situation. Renting a tiny apartment solo in the city is a completely different world compared to a family of four in the suburbs juggling a hefty mortgage, childcare, and grocery bills that have gone completely off rails lately.’

He had always thought earning a $100,000 salary meant you’d ‘made it’ in life.

‘But I finally reached that milestone and it didn’t feel like a relief at all. Between inflation and everyday expenses, the money just vanished, and the security I expected wasn’t there,’ he said.

‘So, what is the actual “comfortable” number in 2026? How much has that threshold jumped for you over the last couple of years?’

Surprisingly, many suggested $300,000 was the ‘new’ $100,000 – but those claiming to be on a high salary were still struggling financially.

‘I’m on $250,000, wife on $50,000 and we aren’t saving much after mortgage and all expenses,’ one revealed. 

‘At $300,000 you can be only just comfortable if you have a decent mortgage and you still need to think twice about larger purchases… $500,000 would be my number,’ another pointed out. 

‘We are on a combined $300,000 – no generational wealth and have the one place with a mortgage bought four years ago. We’ve had to cut back on the fun stuff – holidays, cheaper ingredients, less eating out. Not exactly homeless but I don’t feel rich,’ another shared. 

‘On $300,000 you have to have a strict budget and count everything still. If you have kids in childcare your savings will be moderate to none. But if you think that’s bad, give it another year of hidden inflation and $400,000 will be the new $100,000,’ one said.

However, some high-income earners argued that a salary of $300,000 can provide a comfortable lifestyle. 

‘You live beyond your means. I earn $300,000, two kids, a sizeable mortgage, overseas holidays, and life is easy,’ one shared. 

Many were shocked by the ‘out of reach’ figure, with one weighing in: ‘I was thinking $100,000. I feel insane seeing people mention $300,000 being the minimum. I guess we have different definitions of “made it”, which is fine.’

‘$150,000 is the new $100,000. Judging by the comments here, everyone is suffering from lifestyle creep. I still live like I earn $60,000, nothing has changed and I’m all the wealthier for it,’ another shared. 

Others suggested $200,000 was their realistic take on ‘making it’.

‘I also hit the magic $100,000 and am feeling the same. Even with a wife on similar money, mortgage and life mean we’re barely saving at all. I really think it is going to have to be $200,000 until I feel comfortable and my wife will still need to contribute,’ one said. 

‘I think $300,000 is too high. I earn $200,000 and no bills stress me, mortgage is covered easily and I can travel whenever I want,’ another revealed. 

‘From someone that’s on $160,000, single living in my own home with a $600,000 mortgage, $200,000 would be my sweet spot,’ one added.

‘When I started working in my field 12 years ago, being on $100,000 was seen as being in the big leagues. $200,000 is the new $100,000,’ another suggested.

Those earning $100,000 or less in a year said they are ‘living comfortably’. 

‘I do about $80,000 to $100,000 each year and the wife does $95,000. We pay the bills, cover the mortgage and are comfortable but we’re not really saving,’ one said. 

‘I remember when I went from $32,000 a year to $62,000 and I felt like I’d finally made it. I remember crying when I got my first pay slip at that wage because I’d never earned so much before in my life,’ another explained. 

‘I’ve since moved up a bit and earn more now, and will soon start a new position earning closer to $90,000. Just thinking back to how badly I was struggling financially four years ago, I can’t even wrap my head around earning that much.’

Meanwhile, a couple with a combined salary of $140,000 revealed they have been living comfortable after paying off their mortgage.

‘I think it depends on your outgoings. Me, 43, and my partner, 37, are on a combined $140,000 but we have no mortgage as we just paid it off. We’re quite comfortable now and save about $50,000 a year,’ the man said. 

‘We don’t have a flash house but it’s ours. No debt or credit cards or car loans. I have a friend and her and her partner are on a combined $250,000.

‘They have a nice new house but have nothing saved and very little money at the end of each week due to car loans and a massive mortgage.’