Earnings for a family of 4 in every US state

A family of four needs to earn at least $106,903 a year to cover their needs in most US states, a recent SmartAsset study finds.

The findings are based on cost estimates for housing, childcare, transportation, health care, taxes and other common expenses, as tracked by the MIT Living Wage Calculator. Investment contributions and discretionary expenses such as entertainment or travel are not included.

These are the most expensive states in terms of basic costs for a family of four, based on how much you’d need to earn to get by:

1. Massachusetts: $150,578
2. Hawaii: $147,319
3. Connecticut: $139,924
4. New York: $139,504
5. California: $138,357

At $88,895 a year, it costs less to cover basic needs in Mississippi.

The cost difference between states is mainly due to housing and taxes, which can be up to three times higher depending on where you live—especially if you live in a big city like Los Angeles or New York City.

But it’s also worth noting that median incomes tend to be higher in big cities, which may offset the higher cost of necessities.

That said, basic expenses for a family of four in all states exceed what most American families typically earn, which is estimated to be an average of $78,171, according to data consulting firm Motio Research.

This has forced families of four to cut spending elsewhere in their budgets, such as spending less on housing or child care, which cost an average of $16,211 and $21,858 a year, respectively, in the US.

In fact, 61% of parents living with at least one child do not have any formal child care arrangements, according to a 2022 US Census Bureau survey. And about 1 in 5 parents say they’ve relied on a relative to help with childcare.

Here’s a look at the minimum amount a family of four will need to cover basic needs, including childcare, in each state.

• Annual income required for a family of four: $96,805

• Annual income required for a family of four: $121,295

• Annual income required for a family of four: $115,314

• Annual income required for a family of four: $90,394

• Annual income required for a family of four: $138,357

• Annual income required for a family of four: $132,486

• Annual income required for a family of four: $139,924

• Annual income required for a family of four: $114,467

• Annual income required for a family of four: $104,524

• Annual income required for a family of four: $106,414

• Annual income required for a family of four: $147,319

• Annual income required for a family of four: $105,611

• Annual income required for a family of four: $115,961

• Annual income required for a family of four: $102,985

• Annual income required for a family of four: $105,698

• Annual income required for a family of four: $98,369

• Annual income required for a family of four: $95,043

• Annual income required for a family of four: $94,791

• Annual income required for a family of four: $114,784

• Annual income required for a family of four: $119,720

• Annual income required for a family of four: $150,578

• Annual income required for a family of four: $107,249

• Annual income required for a family of four: $122,387

• Annual income required for a family of four: $88,895

• Annual income required for a family of four: $101,142

• Annual income required for a family of four: $105,689

• Annual income required for a family of four: $106,557

• Annual income required for a family of four: $118,649

• Annual income required for a family of four: $122,072

• Annual income required for a family of four: $125,609

• Annual income required for a family of four: $101,959

• Annual income required for a family of four: $139,504

• Annual income required for a family of four: $104,684

• Annual income required for a family of four: $101,085

• Annual income required for a family of four: $104,658

• Annual income required for a family of four: $97,073

• Annual income required for a family of four: $128,652

• Annual income required for a family of four: $115,218

• Annual income required for a family of four: $124,649

• Annual income required for a family of four: $100,368

• Annual income required for a family of four: $96,286

• Annual income required for a family of four: $97,867

• Annual income required for a family of four: $100,689

• Annual income required for a family of four: $109,231

• Annual income required for a family of four: $124,190

• Annual income required for a family of four: $117,618

• Annual income required for a family of four: $128,730

• Annual income required for a family of four: $94,672

• Annual income required for a family of four: $112,529

• Annual income required for a family of four: $101,693

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