Current Events > How much money a single person needs to earn to get by in every U.S. state

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https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/17/income-a-single-person-needs-to-get-by-in-every-us-state.html

For single people living in the U.S., earning enough money to make ends meet looks different for each person. But location can play a major role, since the cost of housing, food, insurance and other necessities varies from place to place.
MIT's Living Wage Calculator estimates the minimum income necessary for a single person to cover their living expenses and stay above the poverty line, without outside help, across the U.S.
The calculator takes into account a number of factors, including the cost of food, health care, housing, transportation and other necessities, such as personal care, clothing and housekeeping supplies. It also considers each state's minimum wage and looks at annual changes in consumer spending patterns.
The most recent update to the calculator included a few changes to its methodology. The calculator's estimates now include cell phone and Wi-Fi expenses, as well as civic engagement expenditures, such as pets, clubs and movie or museum excursions. Overall, living costs have been increasing for Americans. They are spending more on where they live, the food they buy and how they get around.

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almost 39k here in CA. seems realistic. you'd definitely be with roomates though.

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dj1200 posted...

almost 39k here in CA. seems realistic. you'd definitely be with roomates though.

I think the premise of the calculator is for a single person, which I take to mean no roommate or significant other. It doesn't really work in states with large variations for cost of living.

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You can break it down by County here too:

https://livingwage.mit.edu/

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For where I am in California, its $21.88/hr

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uh
I've been looking at houses in various parts of California and I can't imagine getting by with just 39k

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opopopza posted...

I think the premise of the calculator is for a single person, which I take to mean no roommate or significant other. It doesn't really work in states with large variations for cost of living.

Then I can tell you its unrealistic for my state. Maybe out in the boonies areas, but any populated area and you won't be finding anywhere to live by yourself making that little. Not to mention the fact that your income is generally checked when renting, so who is going to want to rent to someone using 70% of their income on rent? Eventually they are going to start missing payments.

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