Matt Cram
Living Wages
How much money a single person needs to earn to get by in every U.S. state
From MIT’s Living Wage Calculator which 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.
Note: These figures are estimates based on 2024 data and may vary by specific location within each state. Costs have increased significantly due to inflation in recent years.
| State | Required income before taxes | Housing costs | Food costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,500 | $8,800 | $3,800 |
| Alaska | $36,200 | $12,500 | $4,200 |
| Arizona | $35,800 | $11,200 | $4,200 |
| Arkansas | $31,900 | $7,800 | $3,700 |
| California | $45,200 | $18,500 | $4,400 |
| Colorado | $38,900 | $13,800 | $4,400 |
| Connecticut | $37,800 | $13,200 | $4,100 |
| Delaware | $36,100 | $11,600 | $3,800 |
| Florida | $34,800 | $12,800 | $3,800 |
| Georgia | $35,400 | $11,600 | $3,800 |
| Hawaii | $47,200 | $19,800 | $4,400 |
| Idaho | $33,400 | $8,700 | $4,200 |
| Illinois | $35,600 | $11,500 | $3,800 |
| Indiana | $32,200 | $8,300 | $3,800 |
| Iowa | $32,800 | $7,800 | $3,800 |
| Kansas | $31,600 | $8,300 | $3,800 |
| Kentucky | $31,900 | $7,600 | $3,800 |
| Louisiana | $33,200 | $9,300 | $3,800 |
| Maine | $35,600 | $10,300 | $4,100 |
| Maryland | $41,200 | $15,600 | $3,800 |
| Massachusetts | $42,500 | $18,700 | $4,100 |
| Michigan | $32,400 | $8,800 | $3,800 |
| Minnesota | $36,100 | $10,100 | $3,800 |
| Mississippi | $31,500 | $8,100 | $3,800 |
| Missouri | $33,100 | $8,100 | $3,800 |
| Montana | $33,500 | $8,700 | $4,200 |
| Nebraska | $32,200 | $8,100 | $3,800 |
| Nevada | $32,800 | $10,000 | $4,200 |
| New Hampshire | $34,400 | $12,200 | $4,100 |
| New Jersey | $38,800 | $15,100 | $4,100 |
| New Mexico | $33,500 | $8,800 | $4,200 |
| New York | $44,800 | $18,200 | $4,100 |
| North Carolina | $34,900 | $10,400 | $3,800 |
| North Dakota | $31,400 | $8,600 | $3,800 |
| Ohio | $31,800 | $8,000 | $3,800 |
| Oklahoma | $32,300 | $8,400 | $3,800 |
| Oregon | $40,800 | $13,600 | $4,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,100 | $9,900 | $4,100 |
| Rhode Island | $36,200 | $11,300 | $4,100 |
| South Carolina | $34,500 | $9,900 | $3,800 |
| South Dakota | $30,900 | $7,600 | $3,800 |
| Tennessee | $32,000 | $9,300 | $3,800 |
| Texas | $33,300 | $11,100 | $3,800 |
| Utah | $35,200 | $10,000 | $4,200 |
| Vermont | $35,800 | $11,800 | $4,100 |
| Virginia | $39,200 | $14,600 | $3,800 |
| Washington | $38,200 | $16,200 | $4,200 |
| West Virginia | $31,700 | $8,400 | $3,800 |
| Wisconsin | $33,600 | $8,700 | $3,800 |
| Wyoming | $31,800 | $9,100 | $4,200 |
Key Changes from Previous Data:
- Housing costs have increased significantly in most states due to rising rent and home prices
- Food costs have risen due to inflation affecting grocery prices
- Overall living wage requirements have increased by approximately 10-15% in most states
- States with major cities (CA, NY, MA, HI) continue to have the highest costs
- Rural and Midwestern states generally maintain lower costs but have still seen increases
Data reflects 2024 estimates. For the most current and location-specific information, visit MIT’s Living Wage Calculator.