Families and individuals working in low-wage jobs make insufficient income to meet minimum standards given the local cost of living. We developed a living wage calculator to estimate the cost of living in your community or region based on typical expenses. The tool helps individuals, communities, and employers determine a local wage rate that allows residents to meet minimum standards of living.

Select a Location

Recent Articles

Living Wage Local Spotlight Location: Nassau County, New York
Ade Samuel 09/07/2019

Living Wage Local Spotlight
Location: Nassau County, New York
Living Wage: $15.53 per hour (based on MIT Living Wage Calculator)
Minimum Wage: $12.00 per hour (1)

A mere stone’s throw away from New York City’s bright lights lies the wealthie...

Read more >>
Where can you afford to rent in California? By Ryan Murphy and Priya Krishnakumar
Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier 08/30/2019

AUG. 29, 2019

The Los Angeles Times reports on a housing cost tool developed for the paper.

The Times operates a calculator that enables the user to identify where they can afford to live based on their income relative to local housing cost...

Read more >>
Two Sides of the Debate About Raising the Minimum Wage
Kira Buttrey and Dr. Amy Glasmeier 07/19/2019

Twenty Democrats took the stage in Miami, Florida on June 26th and 27th for the first round of 2020 Democratic Party Presidential Debates. All but Andrew Yang support a $15 federal minimum wage, although few mentioned a living wage. The candidat...

Read more >>