By Sofia Carrera, Founder & CEO of EPIC Stock Investing
Living comfortably in the U.S. means something different for everyone, but as living costs rise, so does the baseline income needed for financial security and peace of mind. In this post, we’ll explore what it really takes to live comfortably across various states and why investing in your future can be the key to financial freedom, no matter where you live.
What Does “Living Comfortably” Really Mean?
When people think of a “comfortable” lifestyle, they usually mean a life where they can cover all their essentials (like housing, groceries, and bills), have money left for fun or discretionary spending, and save for the future. According to financial experts, a comfortable lifestyle typically follows the 50/30/20 rule:
- 50% of income goes to necessities,
- 30% goes to discretionary spending (fun, dining, hobbies),
- 20% goes to savings and investments.
But here’s the catch: depending on where you live, the income needed to follow this rule varies significantly. For instance, in Massachusetts, you might need an income of $116,000 to achieve this comfort level, while in West Virginia, it might be as low as $79,000. These numbers show how location can drastically affect financial needs.
A Closer Look at Comfortable Income Levels Across the U.S.
The graphic below shows the annual income needed for a single adult to live comfortably in each state. Take a look and see where your state ranks:
Insert the map graphic with comfortable income levels here
As we see, states like California, Hawaii, and New York require some of the highest incomes due to their high costs of living, while states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia are among the lowest. Whether you live in a high or low-cost state, one thing remains clear: managing expenses and saving for the future is essential for financial security.
Here’s the full list of the 50 states in the United States, ranked by the income needed to live comfortably, ranked from lowest cost of living to highest cost of living, as of Feb 2024.
Income Needed to Live Comfortably in Each U.S. State
- West Virginia – $79,000
- Arkansas – $79,000
- Mississippi – $80,000
- Oklahoma – $80,000
- Kansas – $85,000
- Kentucky – $85,000
- Montana – $85,000
- Wyoming – $85,000
- Alabama – $86,000
- Tennessee – $86,000
- Texas – $87,000
- Louisiana – $88,000
- Indiana – $88,000
- Iowa – $89,000
- North Dakota – $89,000
- Missouri – $89,000
- Idaho – $89,000
- Nebraska – $90,000
- Ohio – $90,000
- South Carolina – $90,000
- Georgia – $90,000
- Virginia – $94,000
- North Carolina – $94,000
- Arizona – $94,000
- Utah – $94,000
- Nevada – $97,000
- New Mexico – $97,000
- Alaska – $97,000
- Michigan – $98,000
- New Hampshire – $98,000
- Vermont – $98,000
- Florida – $99,000
- Pennsylvania – $100,000
- Delaware – $100,000
- Oregon – $101,000
- Washington – $106,000
- Colorado – $103,000
- Illinois – $104,000
- Maryland – $105,000
- Maine – $106,000
- Rhode Island – $107,000
- Wisconsin – $108,000
- Connecticut – $109,000
- Minnesota – $109,000
- New York – $110,000
- New Jersey – $112,000
- Massachusetts – $116,000
- California – $114,000
- Hawaii – $114,000
- District of Columbia – $117,000
The Inflation Factor: Why Earning More Isn’t Always Enough
Living costs, from rent to groceries, are continually rising due to inflation. This means that each year, the income needed to maintain the same standard of living increases. Here’s the tricky part: simply earning more money isn’t always the answer, because inflation can quickly erode purchasing power.
So, how do wealthy people manage to keep their wealth growing despite inflation? They invest.
Investing allows your money to work for you, growing faster than inflation so that you can keep up with rising costs and, ideally, outpace them. If you rely solely on income from your job, inflation might eat into your purchasing power. But by investing in assets like stocks, real estate, and retirement funds, you can ensure your money grows over time, providing a buffer against the rising cost of living.
Key Ways People Are Investing to Build Wealth and Stay Ahead
Here’s a breakdown of popular investment strategies that can help you build a more secure financial future:
- Stock Market
- Blue Chip Stocks: These are stocks from established companies with a history of solid performance.
- Index Funds & ETFs: These funds allow you to invest in a range of companies, reducing risk while still participating in stock market growth.
- Real Estate
- Rental Properties: Renting out properties provides steady income and potential appreciation over time.
- REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts): REITs allow you to invest in real estate without owning property directly.
- Retirement Accounts
- 401(k)s and IRAs: These tax-advantaged accounts can help you save for retirement, with the added benefit of compounding growth.
- Roth IRA: Invest with post-tax dollars now to enjoy tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
- Alternative Assets
- Gold, Silver, and Other Commodities: These can be a hedge against inflation and provide diversification in your portfolio.
- Cryptocurrencies and Start-Up Investments: Although more volatile, some people invest a small portion of their portfolio in higher-risk, higher-reward assets.
Why Starting Early Matters
One of the biggest advantages of investing is compound interest, which Albert Einstein famously called the “eighth wonder of the world.” Compound interest means you earn returns not just on your initial investment but on the returns that investment generates over time. The earlier you start, the longer your money has to grow.
Even if you’re only able to set aside a small amount each month, the growth from compounding can be substantial over time. For instance, investing $200 a month starting at age 25 could yield a much larger retirement fund than starting at age 35 with twice the monthly amount.
How You Can Take the Next Step
If the idea of investing feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many people feel intimidated by the financial world. That’s why we created the EPIC Stock Investing Masterclass — to break down the essentials of stock investing in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Whether you’re new to investing or just want to feel more confident in your choices, this course can provide the guidance you need to start building wealth.
Ready to take control of your financial future? Join our free newsletter for regular insights and tips, or sign up for the EPIC Stock Investing Masterclass today to start making your money work for you.
Written by Sofia Carrea, CEO & Founder of EPIC Stock Investing
Have any questions? Reach out to me at sofia@carreravirtue.com.
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