SINKs need to earn at least $81,000 to live comfortably in America's cheapest state—the most expensive require an $120,000 salary

Young woman raising her champagne glass (Credit: Alina Rudya/Bell Collective - Getty Images)

• A recent study by SmartAsset found that single adults with no kids (SINKs) in the U.S. need an average income of $102,648 to live comfortably, far above the national average salary of $59,228, with affordability varying significantly by state. While earlier research suggested happiness plateaus at a certain income, newer studies show that for many, happiness continues to increase with higher earnings, especially beyond $100,000.

If you feel like you simply haven’t got enough money in the bank to enjoy a comfortable life, you’re not alone.