This map shows how much money a family of 4 needs to earn to get by in every US state (2024)

Depending on where you live in the United States, the amount you need to make to get by and support a family can vary by a lot. While a household of two adults and two children can manage on less than $60,000 a year in Tennessee, for example, it takes at least $88,000 a year to make ends meet in New York.

That's according to updated data from MIT's living wage calculator, which determines the minimum amount necessary to meet basic needs without dipping into poverty or relying on outside help. The model takes into account factors such as food, housing, child care and health insurance, in addition to other regular costs, and doesn't include conveniences or luxuries such as restaurant meals, vacations or money left over for investments.

Here's a closer look at what a living wage would be, before taxes, for a family of four in every U.S. state.

Alabama

  • Total required income before taxes: $61,895
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,086
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Alaska

  • Total required income before taxes: $74,247
  • Estimated housing costs: $15,239
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Arizona

  • Total required income before taxes: $68,786
  • Estimated housing costs: $11,484
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Phoenix, Arizona.

Dennis Macdonald | Getty Images

Arkansas

  • Total required income before taxes: $59,001
  • Estimated housing costs: $8,584
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

California

  • Total required income before taxes: $81,056
  • Estimated housing costs: $19,875
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Colorado

  • Total required income before taxes: $73,132
  • Estimated housing costs: $14,799
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Connecticut

  • Total required income before taxes: $74,216
  • Estimated housing costs: $15,670
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

Delaware

  • Total required income before taxes: $67,632
  • Estimated housing costs: $13,456
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Downtown in Rehobeth Beach, a popular summer vacation town on the Delaware coast.

Darren LoPrinzi | Moment Mobile | Getty Images

Florida

  • Total required income before taxes: $66,057
  • Estimated housing costs: $13,259
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Georgia

  • Total required income before taxes: $63,209
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,932
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Hawaii

  • Total required income before taxes: $68,971
  • Estimated housing costs: $22,314
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Idaho

  • Total required income before taxes: $65,675
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,609
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Illinois

  • Total required income before taxes: $69,760
  • Estimated housing costs: $12,564
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Indiana

  • Total required income before taxes: $63,014
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,641
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Iowa

  • Total required income before taxes: $62,066
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,244
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Kansas

  • Total required income before taxes: $61,158
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,700
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Kentucky

  • Total required income before taxes: $64,017
  • Estimated housing costs: $8,872
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Louisiana

  • Total required income before taxes: $61,643
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,261
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Sean Pavone | Getty Images

Maine

  • Total required income before taxes: $66,125
  • Estimated housing costs: $11,284
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

Maryland

  • Total required income before taxes: $76,043
  • Estimated housing costs: $18,196
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Massachusetts

  • Total required income before taxes: $75,418
  • Estimated housing costs: $17,721
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

Michigan

  • Total required income before taxes: $64,858
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,382
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Minnesota

  • Total required income before taxes: $68,948
  • Estimated housing costs: $11,607
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography | E+ | Getty Images

Mississippi

  • Total required income before taxes: $54,933
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,009
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Missouri

  • Total required income before taxes: $62,943
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,597
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Montana

  • Total required income before taxes: $69,128
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,001
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Nebraska

  • Total required income before taxes: $64,281
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,699
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Nevada

  • Total required income before taxes: $67,137
  • Estimated housing costs: $11,581
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

The Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Doug McKinley | Lonely Planet Images | Getty Images

New Hampshire

  • Total required income before taxes: $66,943
  • Estimated housing costs: $13,761
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

New Jersey

  • Total required income before taxes: $75,884
  • Estimated housing costs: $17,409
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

New Mexico

  • Total required income before taxes: $66,852
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,859
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

New York

  • Total required income before taxes: $88,056
  • Estimated housing costs: $17,896
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

North Carolina

  • Total required income before taxes: $63,522
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,146
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA uptown skyline and park.

Sean Pavone | iStock | Getty Images

North Dakota

  • Total required income before taxes: $62,697
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,166
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Ohio

  • Total required income before taxes: $61,763
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,450
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Oklahoma

  • Total required income before taxes: $64,413
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,544
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Oregon

  • Total required income before taxes: $72,312
  • Estimated housing costs: $13,166
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Pennsylvania

  • Total required income before taxes: $65,502
  • Estimated housing costs: $12,070
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ranked as the second city in the U.S. where it's cheaper to buy a home than rent.

Jon Lovette | DigitalVision | Getty Images

Rhode Island

  • Total required income before taxes: $70,153
  • Estimated housing costs: $12,375
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

South Carolina

  • Total required income before taxes: $59,902
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,168
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

South Dakota

  • Total required income before taxes: $60,064
  • Estimated housing costs: $8,936
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Tennessee

  • Total required income before taxes: $58,199
  • Estimated housing costs: $9,723
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Texas

  • Total required income before taxes: $61,501
  • Estimated housing costs: $11,880
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Dallas, Texas.

joe daniel price | Moment | Getty Images

Utah

  • Total required income before taxes: $67,277
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,963
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

Vermont

  • Total required income before taxes: $68,657
  • Estimated housing costs: $13,744
  • Estimated food costs: $10,245

Virginia

  • Total required income before taxes: $72,223
  • Estimated housing costs: $14,900
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Washington

  • Total required income before taxes: $72,673
  • Estimated housing costs: $16,321
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

West Virginia

  • Total required income before taxes: $60,313
  • Estimated housing costs: $8,749
  • Estimated food costs: $8,822

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Twenty20

Wisconsin

  • Total required income before taxes: $66,742
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,115
  • Estimated food costs: $9,012

Wyoming

  • Total required income before taxes: $67,888
  • Estimated housing costs: $10,227
  • Estimated food costs: $10,529

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This map shows how much money a family of 4 needs to earn to get by in every US state (1)

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This map shows how much money a family of 4 needs to earn to get by in every US state (2024)

FAQs

How much money do I need to make for a family of four? ›

Out of all 99 cities SmartAsset examined, a family of four would need a median of $226,886 to live comfortably. In Houston, the income needed drops to $175,219 — the lowest of all cities examined.

What is the average budget for a family of 4? ›

The average monthly expenses for a family of four range from $7,875 to $9,168 (depending on the ages of your kids). For single folks, the average monthly expenses are $4,337. For married couples with no kids, monthly expenses are $7,111.

What is the average cost of living for a family of 4 in the US? ›

Again, living expenses vary significantly by location, but we can use some average numbers. The average monthly living expenses for a single person in the USA are $3,189, which is $38,266 per year. The average cost for a family of four is $7,095 per month, which is $85,139 per year.

How much money does the average American family of four earn a year? ›

The average U.S. household income in 2022 was $105,555, while the median U.S. household income was $74,580. Adjusting for inflation, median household income dropped 2.2% from 2021 to 2022. Adjusting for inflation, the median household income has declined every year since 2019, when it was $78,250.

What is a comfortable salary for a family of 4 in US? ›

The study found the average salary needed to live comfortably in a major city is $96,500 for one person and roughly $235,000 for a family of four.

How much money does a family of 4 need for food? ›

Average Costs and Variations

The average cost of food at home for a family of four, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ranges from $567 to $1,296 per month, which comes out to approximately $130 to $300 per week.

How much should a family of 4 save per month? ›

At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items. This is called the 50/30/20 rule of thumb, and it provides a quick and easy way for you to budget your money.

How do you start a budget for a family of 4? ›

Build a budget that makes sense for your family with this simple step-by-step process.
  1. Set a financial goal.
  2. Determine exactly how much you make.
  3. Figure out exactly what you're spending.
  4. Create your budget.
  5. Use a budget tracking system.
  6. Trim unnecessary expenses.
  7. Allocate your savings.
  8. Keep adjusting your budget.

Is 100k a year good for a family of four? ›

For most individuals and small families, the answer to “Is $100,000 a good salary?” is a resounding “yes.” Cost of living and family size can affect how far $100,000 will go, but generally speaking, you can live comfortably on $100,000 a year.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in USA? ›

An individual needs $96,500, on average, to live comfortably in a major U.S. city. That figure is even higher for families, who need to earn an average combined income of about $235,000 to support two adults and two children.

How much does the average person spend on clothes per month? ›

The average U.S. household spends $162 per month on clothing, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and you'll probably want to include personal grooming costs as well as any dry cleaning in this budget category.

Is 150k a good salary for a family of four? ›

$150k a year would afford you a decent LA lifestyle. You should be able to secure comfortable living accommodations and live reasonably well. Buying a house would be your major investment along with a vehicle. $125K would be minimum to be considered “good.” Housing costs are very expensive.

How much does a middle-class family of 4 make a year? ›

What Is the Middle Class?
Middle-Class Income Ranges
Household Size:SingleFour
Income Range$30,000 - $90,000$67,100 - $201,270
Median Income$33,350$97,650

What income is middle-class? ›

According to the study, a middle-class income averages between $52,000 and $155,000 in a large U.S. city. The median household income across all 345 cities is $77,345, making middle-class income limits fall between $51,558 and $154,590.

What is a comfortable salary? ›

Key Findings. On average, an individual needs $96,500 for sustainable comfort in a major U.S. city. This includes being able to pay off debt and invest for the future.

How much does a family of four need to live on? ›

The average cost of living for a family of four in the UK, including rent, is around £4,000 to £4,500. Living away from major cities might change this figure. Managing finances well is essential. But major expenses and household expenditure like rent, food, transport, and taxes are typically covered within this range.

How much house does a family of 4 need? ›

The Number Of People In Your Home

If you're a family of four, multiply 4 x 600. That would mean you should look for homes around 2,400 square feet. If it's just you and a partner or roommate, you'd multiply 2 x 600, and look for a home around 1,200 square feet.

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