Money

Mapped: The Living Wage for a Family of Four, by State

Published

3 weeks ago

January 26, 2025

Bruno Venditti

Graphics/Design:

Miranda Smith

See this visualization first on the Voronoi app.

The Living Wage for a Family of Four, by State

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More than 13 million American households include two children at home.

To illuminate how expenses vary across the country, GOBankingRates conducted an analysis in December 2024 to determine the estimated annual income required for a family of four in every state.

The analysis found that in over half the states—26 in total—an annual six-figure salary is now necessary to cover housing, groceries, utilities, healthcare, and transportation.

Hawaii and Massachusetts Lead the Pack

Hawaii tops the list as the priciest location for raising a family, with roughly $259,000 in yearly earnings needed to meet basic household needs.

Several factors drive this exceptionally high cost, including elevated taxes, tight land-use regulations, and significant shipping expenses for everyday goods.

Trailing behind Hawaii are Massachusetts ($200,000) and California ($188,000), underscoring the increased financial burden families face in these coastal states.

Rank	State	Salary Needed
1	Hawaii	$259,000
2	Massachusetts	$200,000
3	California	$188,000
4	New York	$156,000
5	Alaska	$137,000
6	Maine	$136,000
7	New Jersey	$135,000
8	Vermont	$132,000
9	Oregon	$132,000
10	Arizona	$131,000
11	Washington	$131,000
12	Utah	$128,000
13	Connecticut	$127,000
14	New Hampshire	$124,000
15	Rhode Island	$123,000
16	Nevada	$113,000
17	Colorado	$113,000
18	Florida	$112,000
19	Virginia	$111,000
20	Idaho	$107,000
21	Wisconsin	$107,000
22	Delaware	$107,000
23	North Carolina	$105,000
24	Wyoming	$101,000
25	Illinois	$100,000
26	South Dakota	$100,000
27	Ohio	$99,000
28	Maryland	$99,000
29	Pennsylvania	$98,000
30	South Carolina	$98,000
31	Montana	$97,000
32	Minnesota	$97,000
33	New Mexico	$96,000
34	Texas	$96,000
35	Louisiana	$95,000
36	North Dakota	$95,000
37	Georgia	$95,000
38	Nebraska	$94,000
39	Michigan	$94,000
40	Indiana	$94,000
41	Kentucky	$93,000
42	Tennessee	$92,000
43	Missouri	$92,000
44	Iowa	$92,000
45	Oklahoma	$91,000
46	Arkansas	$88,000
47	Kansas	$88,000
48	Alabama	$88,000
49	Mississippi	$88,000
50	West Virginia	$82,000
	🇺🇸 U.S. average	$121,000

On the opposite end of the spectrum, states such as West Virginia, Alabama, and Mississippi present the least expensive environments for families.

In West Virginia, for instance, a family of four can manage on an annual income of about $82,000, which is less than a third of what’s required in Hawaii.

Though these lower-cost states can be appealing for families seeking more affordable living conditions, considerations like job opportunities, local wages, and long-term economic growth potential may also play a part in relocation decisions.

Methodology

These figures come from a GOBankingRates study that leverages data from the 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Researchers took into account routine monthly bills—covering shelter, food, utilities, healthcare, and transportation—to create a holistic view of what a modern family of four truly spends in each state. While exact circumstances can differ from family to family, these numbers highlight broad trends that can help parents plan ahead when choosing where to settle or considering a move.

All told, as costs continue to shift year by year, it’s wise to revisit these figures regularly. Even in lower-cost areas, rising expenses in sectors like healthcare or rent might influence whether a family can make ends meet on an income under six figures.