ST. LOUIS – Your dollars may go further in St. Louis than most major markets, but a steady income is still essential for peace of mind.

A new study from GoBankingRates.com, a personal finance website, determined how much income a single person would need to “live comfortably” in 100 major U.S. cities. The research team named St. Louis among the Top 5 most afforedable cities for maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.

According to GoBankingRates, a single person needs to make a salary of $58,829 to “live comfortably” in St. Louis.

The study used data from the Federal Reserve, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Zillow’s Home Value Index to determine an ideal sum for a single person to live comfortably.

With this in mind, the findings contrast from a similar study conducted last year by consumer finance website SmartAsset, which determined an annual pre-tax salary of $89,357 was truly needed to “live comfortably” in St. Louis.

Oddly enough, both studies based their figures on a 50/30/20 rule, suggesting 50% of one’s income for essential needs, 30% for personal wants, and 20% toward paying debts, saving, or investing money elsewhere. In both cases, the figures also seem to reflect the cost of a single person living without children.

So why the differences? The gap between the two salary estimates likely comes down to differences in data sources and cost assumptions. And while both aim to determine a numerical figure for comfortable living, there could be differences in how factors like housing costs, inflation, and tax considerations are considered.

GoBankingRates, for instance, named Cleveland, Ohio, as the most affordable major city for comfortable living, suggesting an annual income of $47,874. SmartAsset’s study last year determined almost double that at $81,786.

Regardless of which estimate better reflects St. Louis’ cost of living, both studies reinforce that it remains one of the more affordable major U.S. metros, though some financial stability is still key to long-term comfort.