Here’s How Much Cash You Need Stashed To Survive a Recession in the South

Think you have enough money to tap into in the event of a recession? Recently, GOBankingRates conducted a study to determine how much needs to be in your emergency fund for you to stay afloat in a recession. Residents in the Southern region of the United States need at least $8,800 on the low end and more than $14,300 in higher cost-of-living states (e.g., Maryland) to cover expenses for up to three months.

Keep reading to find out how much cash your emergency fund needs to survive a recession in the South.

• Annual cost of living: $39,278
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $9,820
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $19,639
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $39,278

• Annual cost of living: $37,609
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $9,402
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $18,805
• Emergency fund for 9 months: $37,609

• Annual cost of living: $53,343
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $13,336
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $26,671
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $53,343  

• Annual cost of living: $53,687
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $13,422
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $26,843
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $53,687

• Annual cost of living: $47,888
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $11,972
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $23,944
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $47,888

• Annual cost of living: $39,938
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $9,985
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $19,969
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $39,938

• Annual cost of living: $37,550
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $9,388
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $18,775
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $37,550

• Annual cost of living: $57,444
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $14,361
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $28,722
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $57,444

• Annual cost of living: $36,351
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $9,088
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $18,176
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $36,351

• Annual cost of living: $48,054
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $12,014
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $24,027
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $48,054

• Annual cost of living: $38,398
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $9,599
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $19,199
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $38,398

• Annual cost of living: $45,362
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $11,341
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $22,681
• Emergency fund for 9 months: $45,362

• Annual cost of living: $45,776
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $11,444
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $22,888
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $45,776

• Annual cost of living: $45,505
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $11,376
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $22,752
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $45,505

• Annual cost of living: $53,677
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $13,419
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $26,839
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $53,677 

• Annual cost of living: $35,406
• Emergency fund for 3 months: $8,852
• Emergency fund for 6 months: $17,703
• Emergency fund for 12 months: $35,406

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed each state to find the amount needed for an emergency fund. The cost of living was determined using data from Missouri Economic and Research Information Center, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow Home Value Index and the Federal Reserve. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 21, 2025.