Once considered a comfortable middle-class salary, $50,000 a year is now barely enough to survive in many parts of the U.S. Soaring housing costs, rising taxes, and higher everyday expenses are making it nearly impossible to stretch that income in some states. If you’re earning $50K, these 10 states might leave you feeling financially squeezed.
1. Massachusetts
Although Massachusetts may seem like an ideal place to live, it has become completely unaffordable. The median rent is currently more than $2,000 per month. While the state boasts excellent school systems, plentiful public transportation, and access to a major city, you’ll pay for these luxuries. Healthcare, housing, and childcare all drive up the cost of living in the state. So, if you only make $50,000, you may struggle to pay basic expenses. In fact, a recent study found that you’d have to make more than $100,000 to live comfortably in the state.
2. Nevada
If you thought living in the desert would be affordable, think again. Las Vegas and Reno have seen a housing boom in recent years. Casino expansions and the addition of professional sports teams have driven up costs in the area. $50K isn’t enough to live on, even outside of the strip.
3. New York
If you’re looking to live near New York City, you’ll need to make more than $50,000 per year. Even Long Island and Westchester have a high cost of living. Things that drive up the cost of living in this area include transportation costs, expensive rent, and high taxes. You’ll be below the poverty line if you’re only making $50,000.
4. California
The median rent is over $2,700 a month in many cities. Housing prices, gas prices, and taxes are all expensive in this state. Even in smaller cities, $50K won’t go far in California. In metro areas like Los Angeles or San Francisco, rent alone can swallow more than half your income.
5. Hawaii
In Hawaii, the median home price is $835,000 or more. Even groceries are expensive in this state. Island living comes at a premium. The cost of importing goods, plus limited housing, makes Hawaii one of the toughest places to live on a modest income.
6. Washington
Once affordable, Washington is now pricey due to the tech industry expansion. Rents have surged in urban areas, eating away at modest incomes. Seattle and the surrounding areas are too expensive to live on $50,000 per year. Tech-driven inflation, rent, and utilities will cost you a lot of money in this state.
7. Colorado
If you love the outdoors, Colorado may seem like the perfect place to live. Outdoor living and scenic cities draw transplants but they also drive prices sky-high. Rent and home costs have jumped significantly in the last decade. Colorado is too expensive if you only make $50,000 per year. Denver, Boulder, and mountain towns are particularly expensive.
8. Oregon
Oregon’s progressive appeal has brought rapid population growth, which has pushed up housing and grocery prices across the state. Portland and other coastal towns are particularly pricey. Utility costs and state income taxes also take a significant bite out of a $50K salary. For many residents, basic expenses now outpace what used to be a comfortable middle-class income.
9. New Jersey
Did you know that New Jersey has the highest property taxes? Even with proximity to NYC and Philadelphia, New Jersey is increasingly unaffordable for lower-middle-income earners, especially when property taxes are factored in. Rent, transportation, and car insurance costs are also among the highest in the nation. For someone earning $50K, staying afloat often means going into debt or sacrificing essentials.
10. Connecticut
Connecticut’s cost of living is well above the national average, making it tough for lower-income earners to stay ahead. Energy bills, housing, and taxes are major expenses that quickly eat into a $50K salary. The state also has one of the widest wealth gaps in the country. In more affluent areas, that income simply doesn’t go far enough to cover even basic household needs.
Unaffordable States
If you’re earning $50K a year, it may be time to reevaluate where you live. While some states still offer a lower cost of living, these ten are becoming increasingly unsustainable for individuals and families on a modest income.
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
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