Archive · 23 Sep 2026
NRI Estimates H-1B Salaries Needed Across Ten US Cities
Aniruddha Anjana estimated how much a family of four would need to earn in 2026.
The family in his example has two adults and two children.
He focused on families living in the United States on an H-1B visa.
He used a budgeting rule that puts 50% of income toward fixed costs.
Another 30% is for wants such as travel and entertainment.
The final 20% is for investments.
San Francisco had the highest estimate at $407,597 per year.
Houston had the lowest estimate on the list, but it was still more than $200,000.
Anjana said living comfortably can cost much more than people expect.
Aniruddha Anjana estimated the 2026 income needed for a family of four to live comfortably in 10 major US cities.
San Francisco ranked highest at $407,597 annually, followed by San Jose at $402,771.
Houston had the lowest estimate at $204,672, but Anjana said it still exceeded $200,000.
The estimates assume two adults and two children and use the 50/30/20 budgeting rule.
Anjana said salaries that appear high in India may cover only a tight budget for families living in the United States.
- Who
- Aniruddha Anjana, an entrepreneur who spent 10 years in the United States before returning to India, made the estimates.
- What
- He estimated the annual income needed for a family of four to live comfortably in 10 major US cities in 2026.
- When
- The estimates apply to 2026; the articles do not state when Anjana published the Instagram post.
- Where
- The cities are San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, New York, Seattle, Washington, DC, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
- Why
- Anjana said he wanted to show the cost of living comfortably, rather than merely surviving, using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule.
- Household
- Two adults and two children
- Visa context
- H-1B households
- Budgeting method
- 50% fixed expenses, 30% wants, and 20% investments
- Highest estimate
- San Francisco: $407,597 annually
- Second-highest estimate
- San Jose: $402,771 annually
- Lowest estimate
- Houston: $204,672 annually
- Scope
- Ten major US cities in 2026
