How much money to make a year to live comfortably?

If you wanted to own a home (or at least a nice apartment for $1000 a month), a decent car, cable tv, internet, iphone bills, 2 kids, a pet or 2. Have a full kitchen all the time, and be able to go out to eat at least once a week and still have some spending money how much should a person make a year. I know there's a lot of variables but just by what I said how much should you make? And if it helps in the region of New England USA. I'm 17 and really curious!

New England, bank on around $4-5000.00 a month after taxes to afford that kind of lifestyle. Maybe a little more if you want more than a couple hundred a month to burn at a bar for "some spending money".

And I think you're being a bit modest on the amount you need for the apartment, but hey, I've lived in NY/NJ all my life and they're higher than the rest.

36,000

Do your parents own a home, a car, cable, utility bills, keep a full refrigerator and all the rest?

Maybe ask them how much it all costs.

Let's say that $1000 a month for the place is more like $1400 all-inclusive housing costs, which should be 35% of your income, which means you'd need to make at least $4000 a month.

10% of your monthly income should be going to long-term (retirement) savings: $500 a month.

15% goes to debt repayment/emergency fund: $600 a month goes into a regular savings account until you have at least 6 times your monthly income saved up ($24 000).

35% goes to housing (rent, mortgage, bills, utilities, insurances, etc.): All-inclusive, you could afford UNDER $1400 a month.

15% goes to transportation (gas, insurance, repairs, bus): $600 a month. Minus $150 for gas, Minus $200 for insurance, you could afford a car payment of $250 a month, or better yet, save up as much as possible for the car.

25% goes to life (food, entertainment, clothing, gifts, travel, medical, wants, phone, internet, cable, other): $1000 a month, or $250 a week. For moving out purposes, I always recommend at least $100 a week, which means you would be more than set.