In case you bought a job supply in Massachusetts, may you afford to maneuver there? What about Hawaii? Monetary site SmartAsset used the latest information out there (February 2025) from the MIT Dwelling Wage Calculator to assemble the fundamental price of dwelling, together with requirements like housing, meals, transportation, and revenue taxes, to seek out how a lot wage it takes to reside “comfortably” in every state.
Researchers utilized the price of dwelling in each U.S. state to a 50/30/20 budget (50% for wants, 30% for desires, and 20% for financial savings) to kind the listing. Unsurprisingly, Hawaii was discovered to be the costliest state for a single grownup to reside comfortably.
Associated: Here’s How Much a Family of 4 Needs to Live ‘Comfortably’ in Every U.S. State, According to a New Report
Dwelling “comfortably” is outlined as incomes sufficient cash for wants like housing and desires like making an attempt that expensive restaurant, whereas nonetheless having the ability to put away cash for long-term financial savings. In keeping with the report, it takes a minimal wage of $124,467 for a single grownup to reside comfortably there.
In keeping with a 2023 report from Hawaii Governor Josh Green, the Aloha State’s housing market is the costliest within the nation, and an annual revenue of $252K can be wanted to afford a median-priced new residence.
West Virginia, in the meantime, was discovered to be the most cost effective state for single adults, the place a wage of “solely” $80,829 is required to reside comfortably. Housing in West Virginia is 27% decrease than the nationwide common, and utilities are 6% decrease, according to RentCafe. Nonetheless, because of this in the complete U.S., having a wage underneath $80,829 means you will not be “snug.”
Listed here are the ten most (and least) costly states for a single grownup with no youngsters.
Most Costly States for a Single Grownup With No Youngsters to Stay Comfortably
1. Hawaii
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $124,467.20
2. Massachusetts
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $120,140.80
3. California
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $119,475.20
4. New York
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $114,691.2
5. Washington
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $109,657.60
6. New Jersey
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $108,992.00
7. Maryland
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $108,867.20
8. Virginia
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $106,704.00
9. Colorado
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $105,955.20
10. Connecticut
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $105,164.80
Least Costly States for a Single Grownup With No Youngsters to Stay Comfortably
1. West Virginia
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $80,828.80
2. Arkansas
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $81,078.40
3. South Dakota
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $82,160.00
4. North Dakota
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $82,284.80
5. Kentucky
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $83,574.40
6. Oklahoma
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $84,281.60
7. Ohio
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $84,780.80
8. Alabama
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $85,280.00
9. Louisiana
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $85,321.60
10. Mississippi
Earnings wanted for a single grownup, 2025: $86,320.00
Click on right here for SmartAsset’s full report.
In case you bought a job supply in Massachusetts, may you afford to maneuver there? What about Hawaii? Monetary site SmartAsset used the latest information out there (February 2025) from the MIT Dwelling Wage Calculator to assemble the fundamental price of dwelling, together with requirements like housing, meals, transportation, and revenue taxes, to seek out how a lot wage it takes to reside “comfortably” in every state.
Researchers utilized the price of dwelling in each U.S. state to a 50/30/20 budget (50% for wants, 30% for desires, and 20% for financial savings) to kind the listing. Unsurprisingly, Hawaii was discovered to be the costliest state for a single grownup to reside comfortably.
Associated: Here’s How Much a Family of 4 Needs to Live ‘Comfortably’ in Every U.S. State, According to a New Report
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