MIT’s Living Wage Calculator points to the minimum amount of income necessary for a family of 3 to meet their basic needs without having to rely upon other people or programs for assistance and without having to get into poverty.
In addition to factoring in housing and grocery costs, MIT included fundamentals such as childcare costs, health insurance, basic clothing, etc. MIT did not include “extras” such as vacations, restaurants and investment money.
Take a look at total annual income levels before taxes, estimated housing costs and estimated food costs in every state. Thanks to Ernie Martin of CNBC for his article.
Alabama
- Income before taxes – $50,585
- Estimated housing costs – $9,086
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Alaska
- Income before taxes – $62,102
- Estimated housing costs – $15,239
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Arizona
- Income before taxes – $56,189
- Estimated housing costs – $11,484
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Arkansas
- Income before taxes – $49,970
- Estimated housing costs – $8,584
- Estimated Food costs – $6,832
California
- Income before taxes – $68,190
- Estimated housing costs – $19,875
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Colorado
- Income before taxes – $62,950
- Estimated housing costs – $14,799
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Delaware
- Income before taxes – $58,886
- Estimated housing costs – $13,456
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Florida
- Income before taxes – $57,029
- Estimated housing costs – $13,259
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Georgia
- Income before taxes – $54,964
- Estimated housing costs – $10,932
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Hawaii
- Income before taxes – $62,413
- Estimated housing costs – $22,314
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Idaho
- Income before taxes – $54,631
- Estimated housing costs – $9,609
- Estimated food costs – 8,154
Illinois
- Income before taxes – $59,498
- Estimated housing costs – $12,564
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Indiana
- Income before taxes – $52,207
- Estimated Housing Costs – $9,641
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Iowa
- Income before taxes – $53,502
- Estimated housing costs – $9,244
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Kansas
- Income before taxes – $53,201
- Estimated housing costs – $9,700
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Kentucky
- Income before taxes – $51,925
- Estimated housing costs – $8,872
- Estimated food costs – 6,832
Louisiana
- Income before taxes – $53,501
- Estimated housing costs
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Maine
- Income before taxes – $55,665
- Estimated housing costs -0 $11,284
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
Maryland
- Income before taxes – $66,150
- Estimated housing costs – $18,196
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Massachusetts
- Income before taxes – $66,376
- Estimated housing costs – $17,721
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
Michigan
- Income before taxes – $53,281
- Estimated housing costs – $10,382
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Minnesota
- Income before taxes – $48m537
- Estimated housing costs – $9,009
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Missouri
- Income before taxes – $53,654
- Estimated housing costs – $9,597
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Montana
- Income before taxes – $56,410
- Estimated housing costs – $10,001
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Nebraska
- Income before taxes – $54,332
- Estimated housing costs – $9,699
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Nevada
- Income before taxes – $56,277
- Estimated housing costs – $11,581
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
New Hampshire
- Income before taxes – $58,161
- Estimated housing costs – $13,761
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
New Jersey
- Income before taxes – $64,436
- Estimated housing costs – $17,409
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
New Mexico
- Income before taxes – $56,228
- Estimated housing costs – $9,859
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
New York
- Income before taxes – $67,419
- Estimated housing costs – $17,896
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
North Carolina
- Income before taxes – $54,429
- Estimated housing costs – $10,146
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
North Dakota
- Income before taxes – $53,161
- Estimated housing costs -0 $10,166
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Ohio
- Income before taxes – $52,013
- Estimated housing costs – $9,450
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Oklahoma
- Income before taxes – $52,805
- Estimated housing costs – $9,544
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Oregon
- Income before taxes – $59,237
- Estimated housing costs – $13,166
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Pennsylvania
- Income before taxes – $53,884
- Estimated housing costs – $12,070
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
Rhode Island
- Income before taxes – $59,221
- Estimated housing costs – $12,375
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
South Carolina
- Income before taxes – $52,038
- Estimated housing costs – $10,168
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
South Dakota
- Income before taxes – $50,166
- Estimated housing costs – $8,936
- Estimated food costs – $6,979
Tennessee
- Income before taxes – $50,152
- Estimated housing costs – $9,723
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Texas
- Income before taxes – $53,219
- Estimated housing costs – $11,880
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Utah
- Income before taxes – $54,627
- Estimated housing costs – $10,963
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
Vermont
- Income before taxes – $58,841
- Estimated housing costs – $13,774
- Estimated food costs – $7,933
Virginia
- Income before taxes – $62,598
- Estimated housing costs – $14,900
- Estimated food costs – $6,832
Washington
- Income before taxes – $61,988
- Estimated housing costs – $16,322
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
West Virginia
- Income before taxes – $50,068
- Estimated housing costs – $8,749
- Estimated food costs – $6,836
Wisconsin
- Income before taxes – $56,231
- Estimated housing costs – $10,115
- Estimated food costs – 6,979
Wyoming
- Income before taxes – $54,316
- Estimated housing costs – $10,227
- Estimated food costs – $8,154
*** No data available for Connecticut and Mississippi
