In 2025, families of four will require a six-figure income in 26 U.S. states to comfortably cover living expenses, according to a GOBankingRates survey. The survey utilized data from the 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey to calculate that a living wage is determined by the income required to cover 50% necessities, 30% discretionary spending, and 20% savings. States requiring at least $100,000 include South Dakota ($100,000), Illinois ($100,332), and Wyoming ($100,750), among others.
The highest living wage is observed in California, requiring $188,269 annually, with housing costs at $45,891. Massachusetts follows closely with a living wage of $199,671, while Hawaii tops the list with a living wage of $258,918 due to higher costs of housing ($66,412) and groceries ($28,290).
The analysis identified that more than half of the states (26 in total) require households to earn at least $100,000 annually, underscoring the financial demands of raising a family in multiple regions across the country.
