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. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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