In a recent analysis from GoBankingRates, researchers found out exactly how much money a single adult needs to live comfortably in every state in the United States. This would be for fiscal year 2025. These numbers point to major regional inequities, as the necessary income in some states is over $100,000 while other states need under $60,000.
The fair market rent income ceiling for a single adult in 2025 is estimated to be well over $86,320. However, this figure varies widely by state. That income threshold can be much higher in some regions, like California and New York, where the median necessary income climbs to nearly $100,000. In California, the income required climbs all the way to $99,216, and in New York, it’s $108,992.
In other states, the fiscal bar is lower. At the other end of the spectrum, states like Florida and Texas have remarkably lower thresholds— $87,318 and $85,280, respectively. These differences in variations illustrate how the cost of living can be impacted by housing markets, local economies, and the cost of lifestyle choices.
Today, a number of states require salaries over $100,000 before a single adult can live comfortably. As an example, in Massachusetts, the income necessary to afford one is pegged at $101,587. In Maryland, it is even lower at $100,298. In states like Ohio and Michigan the necessary incomes are much more attainable at $82,285 and $81,078 in those states respectively.
Our full analysis digs into some of these other income needs by state. For example, single adults in Washington D.C. will have to earn $114,691 just to afford a basic standard of living. Examples of what would count as a national average are income in the nineties in Virginia at $93,766 and Illinois at $86,819.
These new projections are a stark reminder of the growing economic strain on single adults across the country. Factors such as housing costs, healthcare expenses, and inflation rates play a crucial role in determining the financial needs of individuals.