What Will It Cost To Live “Comfortably” in Every State in 2026?

Thurtell / Getty Images

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

The average U.S. household’s annual expenses were $77,280 in 2023, which is the latest available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s $6,440 a month, meaning American homes will need a lot more to get by after taxes, investing, and saving.

The BLS also found that consumer spending increased by 5.9% from 2022 to 2023. While still high, this is significantly lower than the 9% increase from 2021 to 2022.

Recently, SmartAsset sourced data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator to find out how much is needed to live comfortably in every state. In this case, “comfortable” is defined as the yearly income needed for the 50/30/20 budget. That is, 50% of income goes toward needs, 30% goes toward discretionary spending and 20% goes toward savings and investments.

Here’s an estimate of what it might cost to live in every state in 2026, assuming no significant changes from this year.

West Virginia

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $80,829
• Income needed for a family of four: $195,354

Arkansas

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $81,078
• Income needed for a family of four: $193,773

South Dakota

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $82,160
• Income needed for a family of four: $197,933

North Dakota

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $82,285
• Income needed for a family of four: $207,334

Kentucky

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $83,574
• Income needed for a family of four: $192,941

Oklahoma

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $84,282
• Income needed for a family of four: $208,749

Ohio

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $84,781
• Income needed for a family of four: $220,563

Alabama

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $85,280
• Income needed for a family of four: $194,522

Louisiana

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $85,322
• Income needed for a family of four: $199,597

Mississippi

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $86,320
• Income needed for a family of four: $186,618

Indiana

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $86,570
• Income needed for a family of four: $220,230

Missouri

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $86,819
• Income needed for a family of four: $218,317

Iowa

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $86,902
• Income needed for a family of four: $202,675

Wisconsin

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $87,194
• Income needed for a family of four: $225,555

Michigan

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $87,235
• Income needed for a family of four: $207,584

Nebraska

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $87,318
• Income needed for a family of four: $215,738

New Mexico

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $87,402
• Income needed for a family of four: $220,813

Kansas

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $87,610
• Income needed for a family of four: $200,678

Wyoming

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $87,942
• Income needed for a family of four: $209,914

Texas

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $90,771
• Income needed for a family of four: $204,922

Tennessee

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $91,478
• Income needed for a family of four: $200,678

Minnesota

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $91,728
• Income needed for a family of four: $251,264

South Carolina

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $92,144
• Income needed for a family of four: $208,333

Montana

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $92,851
• Income needed for a family of four: $234,957

North Carolina

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $93,776
• Income needed for a family of four: $210,746

Pennsylvania

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $95,306
• Income needed for a family of four: $248,435

Idaho

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $96,429
• Income needed for a family of four: $223,142

Maine

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $96,595
• Income needed for a family of four: $239,699

Florida

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $97,386
• Income needed for a family of four: $217,651

Delaware

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $97,469
• Income needed for a family of four: $223,142

Illinois

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $98,010
• Income needed for a family of four: $234,291

Nevada

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $99,216
• Income needed for a family of four: $238,534

Utah

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $99,466
• Income needed for a family of four: $231,046

Georgia

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $99,590
• Income needed for a family of four: $210,829

Vermont

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $99,632
• Income needed for a family of four: $286,790

Alaska

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $100,298
• Income needed for a family of four: $259,002

Rhode Island

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $101,338
• Income needed for a family of four: $256,672

Arizona

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $101,587
• Income needed for a family of four: $237,952

New Hampshire

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $103,085
• Income needed for a family of four: $259,501

Oregon

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $104,666
• Income needed for a family of four: $261,914

Connecticut

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $105,165
• Income needed for a family of four: $290,368

Colorado

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $105,955
• Income needed for a family of four: $273,728

Virginia

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $106,704
• Income needed for a family of four: $241,696

Maryland

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $108,867
• Income needed for a family of four: $259,168

New Jersey

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $108,992
• Income needed for a family of four: $282,714

Washington

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $109,658
• Income needed for a family of four: $277,888

New York

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $114,691
• Income needed for a family of four: $276,973

California

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $119,475
• Income needed for a family of four: $287,456

Massachusetts

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $120,141
• Income needed for a family of four: $313,747

Hawaii

• Income needed for one adult (no children): $124,467
• Income needed for a family of four: $294,362

Share This Article: