The biggest cities in the United States also tend to be some of the most expensive. Living in Manhattan, for example, costs 128 percent more than the U.S. average, according to data from Kiplinger.
So what does it take to afford the country’s most popular locations? Using MIT’s living wage calculator, CNBC Make It found the minimum amount necessary to meet basic needs without relying on outside help. The model takes into account factors such as child care and health insurance, in addition to food and other regular costs.
These numbers account for a family of two adults and one child and don’t include conveniences such as restaurant meals, vacations and money left over for investments.
Here’s a look at the living wages for the 15 most populous cities in the U.S. as compared to the median annual income for each, reported by the U.S. Census.
Living wage: $51,045
Median household income: $43,101
2016 population: 855,164
Living wage: $51,520
Median household income: $47,156
2016 population: 860,090
Living wage: $78,386
Median household income: $87,701
2016 population: 870,887
Living wage: $53,716
Median household income: $48,256
2016 population: 880,619
Living wage: $54,638
Median household income: $60,939
2016 population: 947,890
Living wage: $74,025
Median household income: $90,303
2016 population: 1,025,350
Living wage: $52,105
Median household income: $45,215
2016 population: 1,317,929
Living wage: $67,773
Median household income: $68,117
2016 population: 1,406,630
Living wage: $51,390
Median household income: $48,183
2016 population: 1,492,510
Living wage: $55,600
Median household income: $39,770
2016 population: 1,567,872
Living wage: $54,772
Median household income: $49,328
2016 population:1,615,017
Living wage: $51,636
Median household income: $47,010
2016 population: 2,303,482
Living wage: $59,215
Median household income: $50,434
2016 population: 2,704,958
Living wage: $65,963
Median household income: $51,538
2016 population: 3,976,322
Living wage: $67,817
Median household income: $55,191
2016 population: 8,537,673
And here’s how these major cities stack up against the states where they’re located. Click the map to enlarge.
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