Here's How Much a Family of 4 Needs to Live 'Comfortably' in Every U.S. State, According to a New Report

As the cost of living continues to rise in the U.S., a family of four needs to earn more than ever to live "comfortably," according to a new report by GOBankingRates .

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center's 2024 Cost of Living data series, GOBankingRates researchers analyzed annual living expenses for a family of four in all 50 states. For the report, a "living wage" is defined as the income required to cover 50% of necessities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% placed into savings. The data tells an expensive story.



Every state's living wage was at least $82,000 a year. In 26 states, a family of four has to earn at least $100,000 a year to be considered "financially secure," while in four states, a family of four would need to earn $150,000 to have a living wage: Hawaii ($259K), Massachusetts ($200K), California ($188K), and New York ($155K). Related: Millions of Americans Are Getting a Pay Bump This Year.

Here's Where. States once considered "affordable," according to the report, (Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, and North Carolina) now require a family of four to earn more than $100,000 to be "comfortable." Here are the most and least expensive states with living wages needed for a family of four.

Least expensive: 1. West Virginia 2. Mississippi 3.

Alabama 4. Kansas 5. Arkansas Related: Young People Earning More Than $200,000 a Year Are Fleeing 1 U.

S. State — and Flocking to 2 Others Most expensive: 46. Alaska 47.

New York 48. California 49. Massachusetts 50.

Hawaii Read the full report to see where all 50 states rank, click here ..