Can you afford to live where you are? The answer depends on two factors — your earnings and the cost of living in your area.
The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour. Some states and a few cities set their minimum wages higher.
The cost of living varies a great deal across the country. Even in lower-cost areas, a minimum wage job may not be enough to support a family.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning calculates a living wage for each state and the District of Columbia that takes into account the costs in each. We used MIT’s updated Living Wage Calculator for a state-by-state look at what it takes in 2020 to earn enough to enjoy a basic standard of living.
This slideshow starts where the living wage is highest. See if you make a living wage for your state.
Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.