Not all metros are NYC/DC/SF level cost though. Even among the 1m+ people metros, my $45k would buy a middle-class life in Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Dallas. Not a fabulous one, but I'd certainly have no issues living there as a bachelor. Probably harder to make ends meet as a family man, but most Dads don't have entry level positions. Maybe my wife would have to work part-time, but it wouldn't be unmanageable. And that's assuming I don't get another raise[1] in my life.
My point is that in most of the country, anyone in the top 4 buckets (which is to say $50k+) is in pretty solid shape.
[1] - By which I mean a performance or experience related raise, promotion, or new job. Obviously that would require small raises to keep up with inflation.
And yet, of the cities you named, Philly is the only one I would even consider living in. Maybe Phoenix if I were desperate, but never anything in Texas.
My point is that in most of the country, anyone in the top 4 buckets (which is to say $50k+) is in pretty solid shape.
[1] - By which I mean a performance or experience related raise, promotion, or new job. Obviously that would require small raises to keep up with inflation.