The salary a family of 4 needs to get by in every U.S. state—it's more than $150,000 in the most expensive one (2024)

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

The findings are based on cost estimates for housing, child care, transportation, health care, taxes and other common expenses, as tracked by the MIT Living Wage calculator. Investment contributions and discretionary expenses like 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 make ends meet:

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

At $88,895 annually, it costs the least to cover basic needs in Mississippi.

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

But it's also worth noting that median income tends to be higher in major cities, which can offset the elevated cost of necessities.

That said, basic expenses for a family of four in all states exceeds what most U.S. households typically earn, which is estimated to be a median of $78,171, according to data consulting firm Motio Research.

This has forced families of four to cut expenses elsewhere in their budgets, like spending less on housing or child care, which cost medians of $16,211 and $21,858 per year, respectively, in the U.S.

In fact, 61% of parents living with at least one child don't have any formal child-care arrangements, according to a 2022 U.S. Census Bureau survey. And about 1 in 5 parents say they've relied on a relative to help out with child care.

Here's a look at the minimum amount a family of four would need to cover basic needs, including child care, in each state.

Alabama

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

Alaska

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

Arizona

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

Arkansas

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

California

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

Colorado

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

Connecticut

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

Delaware

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

Florida

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

Georgia

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

Hawaii

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

Idaho

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

Illinois

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

Indiana

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

Iowa

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

Kansas

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

Kentucky

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

Louisiana

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

Maine

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

Maryland

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

Massachusetts

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

Michigan

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

Minnesota

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

Mississippi

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

Missouri

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

Montana

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

Nebraska

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

Nevada

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

New Hampshire

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

New Jersey

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

New Mexico

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

New York

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

North Carolina

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

North Dakota

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

Ohio

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

Oklahoma

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

Oregon

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

Pennsylvania

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

Rhode Island

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

South Carolina

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

South Dakota

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

Tennessee

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

Texas

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

Utah

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

Vermont

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

Virginia

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

Washington

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

West Virginia

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

Wisconsin

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

Wyoming

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

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The salary a family of 4 needs to get by in every U.S. state—it's more than $150,000 in the most expensive one (1)

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The salary a family of 4 needs to get by in every U.S. state—it's more than $150,000 in the most expensive one (2024)

FAQs

The salary a family of 4 needs to get by in every U.S. state—it's more than $150,000 in the most expensive one? ›

A family of four needs to earn at least $106,903 a year to cover their necessities in most U.S. states, a recent SmartAsset study reveals. The findings are based on cost estimates for housing, child care, transportation, health care, taxes and other common expenses, as tracked by the MIT Living Wage calculator.

What is the most expensive state for a family of 4? ›

The findings indicate a family of four, with two working adults and two children, in Massachusetts would require a minimum annual income of approximately $150,000 to cover basic living expenses, a sum higher than in any other state. That includes California and New York, where similar families need around $140,000.

Is 150k enough for a family of four? ›

I wouldn't be surprised if $150k was really tight for a family of 4 in SF proper. Running the calculations, a payroll calculator indicates that $150k/yr turns into $3925 take home every 2 weeks or just over $100k/yr. The housing alone for a three bedroom (assuming everyone shares a room) would run at least $60k/yr.

What is a good salary in the US for a family of four? ›

Out of all 99 cities SmartAsset examined, a family of four would need a median of $226,886 to live comfortably. In Houston, the income needed drops to $175,219 — the lowest of all cities examined.

How much does a family of 4 need to make to live comfortably in California? ›

Cost of Living Across California

In August 2023, our data showed that living comfortably in California costs $130,239 for a family of four.

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in? ›

Cheapest Southern States to Live In

Mississippi: According to World Population Review, in 2023, Mississippi holds the title of the cheapest state to live in the United States. Its cost of living index is 85, and overall costs in the state are 17% lower than the national average.

What is the number 1 expensive state? ›

Hawaii is the State with the Highest Cost of Living.

Is $100,000 enough for a family of four? ›

On the other side of that, the states where you need the most money to earn a living wage for four people all require an income of more than $100,000. These are all coastal states known for high real estate prices, including Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York and Alaska.

Is $150,000 a year middle class? ›

However, new GOBankingRates research shows that in some major U.S. cities, an annual income of $150,000 is only enough to qualify as “lower middle class.” This is especially pronounced in two Northern California cities and Arlington, Virginia.

Is $80,000 enough for a family of 4? ›

Depending on the size of your family or household, an $80,000 salary may comfortably cover your living expenses. If other people in your household, such as children, depend on your income, consider how much it costs to pay for their living expenses in addition to your own.

What salary is considered upper class for a family of 4? ›

While there's no definitive line, households in the top 20% of earners are generally considered upper class. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2022 was $74,580. To reach the upper class in 2024, you'd typically need an income exceeding $153,000 – more than double the national median.

What is a comfortable family income? ›

San Jose, California ($136,739 for an individual; $334,547 for a family of four) Irvine and Santa Ana, California ($126,797 for an individual; $291,450 for a family of four)

What salary is needed to live comfortably in the USA? ›

Key Findings. On average, an individual needs $96,500 for sustainable comfort in a major U.S. city. This includes being able to pay off debt and invest for the future.

How much is $30 an hour annually? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. $30 an hour is how much a year? If you make $30 an hour, your yearly salary would be $62,400.

What is the #1 state to raise a family? ›

1. Massachusetts. Massachusetts tops the rankings as the best state to raise a family, with an impressive score of 77.14. The state excels in several key areas, making it ideal for families.

What is the cost of living for a family of 4 in the US? ›

Again, living expenses vary significantly by location, but we can use some average numbers. The average monthly living expenses for a single person in the USA are $3,189, which is $38,266 per year. The average cost for a family of four is $7,095 per month, which is $85,139 per year.

What is the #1 most expensive city in the US? ›

1 costs more than double the national average. The New York borough of Manhattan is the most expensive place to live in the U.S. — and the cost of living in the No. 2 place isn't even close. The cost of living in Manhattan is more than twice the national average.

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