{"id":14527,"date":"2025-01-03T05:12:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T05:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/?p=14527"},"modified":"2025-01-03T05:12:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T05:12:33","slug":"how-much-a-family-needs-to-live-comfortably-in-us-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/03\/how-much-a-family-needs-to-live-comfortably-in-us-states\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much a Family Needs to Live ‘Comfortably’ in US States"},"content":{"rendered":"


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As the cost of living continues to rise<\/a> in the U.S., a family of four needs to earn more than ever to live “comfortably,” according to a new report<\/a> by GOBankingRates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s 2024 Cost of Living data series, GOBankingRates researchers analyzed annual living expenses for a family of four in all 50 states. For the report, a “living wage” is defined as the income required to cover 50% of necessities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% placed into savings.<\/p>\n

The data tells an expensive story.<\/p>\n

Every state’s living wage was at least $82,000 a year. In 26 states, a family of four has to earn at least $100,000 a year to be considered “financially secure,” while in four states, a family of four would need to earn $150,000 to have a living wage: Hawaii ($259K), Massachusetts ($200K), California ($188K), and New York ($155K).<\/p>\n

Related:<\/b> Millions of Americans Are Getting a Pay Bump This Year. Here’s Where.<\/a><\/p>\n

States once considered “affordable,” according to the report, (Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, and North Carolina) now require a family of four to earn more than $100,000 to be “comfortable.”<\/p>\n

Here are the most and least expensive states with living wages needed for a family of four.<\/p>\n

Least expensive:<\/p>\n

1. West Virginia<\/h2>\n