Cheapest for family of 4
Mississippi
Approx $75,312 pre-tax
2026 Edition | Updated May 2026
Cost of Living by State for a Family of Four 2026
For a household of 2 adults plus 2 children, the pre-tax income required to cover the MIT Living Wage basket of housing, childcare, food, healthcare, transportation, and other necessities ranges from roughly $85,000 (Mississippi, West Virginia) to roughly $170,000 (Hawaii). Below: the full 50-state list, anchored to MIT Living Wage and the 2026 C2ER cost-of-living sub-indexes.
Most expensive for family of 4
Hawaii
Approx $191,513 pre-tax
US average
~$95,000
Pre-tax, MIT Living Wage anchor
Full state list
Required pre-tax income, family of four, by state
| State | Required pre-tax income | COL composite | Housing index | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $75,312 | 83.3 | 56.2 | $46,511 |
| West Virginia | $75,973 | 84.1 | 56.8 | $50,884 |
| Arkansas | $77,603 | 86.0 | 62.0 | $52,528 |
| Oklahoma | $77,617 | 84.9 | 60.8 | $56,956 |
| Kansas | $78,622 | 84.8 | 62.0 | $64,521 |
| Kentucky | $79,730 | 87.5 | 66.2 | $55,573 |
| Alabama | $80,143 | 87.9 | 66.8 | $56,950 |
| Missouri | $80,683 | 87.1 | 67.5 | $61,043 |
| Ohio | $81,841 | 89.8 | 68.5 | $61,938 |
| Iowa | $82,192 | 89.0 | 69.8 | $65,573 |
| Louisiana | $82,492 | 89.6 | 72.5 | $52,295 |
| Indiana | $82,722 | 89.4 | 72.1 | $61,944 |
| Michigan | $83,343 | 90.3 | 72.8 | $63,498 |
| Tennessee | $83,636 | 89.7 | 75.8 | $59,695 |
| Nebraska | $84,369 | 90.8 | 74.5 | $65,720 |
| New Mexico | $86,001 | 91.3 | 81.2 | $53,992 |
| Georgia | $86,099 | 91.5 | 80.7 | $65,030 |
| South Carolina | $86,131 | 92.5 | 79.5 | $59,318 |
| Texas | $86,154 | 91.5 | 81.5 | $67,321 |
| Wisconsin | $86,726 | 93.5 | 79.2 | $67,125 |
| Illinois | $87,398 | 93.4 | 80.7 | $72,205 |
| North Dakota | $88,304 | 94.5 | 81.2 | $66,519 |
| North Carolina | $88,561 | 94.9 | 85.5 | $62,891 |
| Wyoming | $89,839 | 95.8 | 86.2 | $65,003 |
| South Dakota | $90,277 | 95.2 | 86.5 | $63,920 |
| Minnesota | $90,622 | 97.1 | 88.5 | $77,706 |
| Idaho | $92,115 | 96.8 | 96.1 | $63,527 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,033 | 99.5 | 93.5 | $67,587 |
| Delaware | $95,586 | 102.4 | 96.5 | $72,724 |
| Montana | $95,966 | 99.2 | 103.8 | $62,043 |
| Arizona | $97,110 | 102.2 | 107.8 | $69,056 |
| Florida | $97,738 | 102.8 | 107.3 | $63,062 |
| Virginia | $99,876 | 103.7 | 112.8 | $80,615 |
| Utah | $99,931 | 103.5 | 115.2 | $74,197 |
| Nevada | $101,582 | 104.2 | 115.8 | $66,274 |
| Colorado | $102,083 | 105.1 | 118.9 | $82,254 |
| Connecticut | $102,847 | 112.8 | 113.0 | $83,771 |
| Maine | $103,946 | 112.1 | 115.2 | $64,767 |
| Rhode Island | $104,612 | 111.8 | 118.5 | $71,169 |
| New Hampshire | $105,216 | 112.5 | 120.2 | $83,449 |
| Vermont | $107,320 | 114.5 | 123.5 | $65,792 |
| Washington | $107,925 | 110.7 | 130.2 | $82,228 |
| New Jersey | $108,198 | 115.2 | 128.5 | $85,245 |
| Oregon | $108,591 | 113.1 | 132.5 | $70,084 |
| Maryland | $112,726 | 118.2 | 140.5 | $87,063 |
| Alaska | $116,783 | 127.0 | 128.3 | $77,640 |
| New York | $119,487 | 126.5 | 155.8 | $74,314 |
| California | $135,392 | 142.2 | 196.5 | $84,907 |
| Massachusetts | $142,509 | 148.4 | 210.5 | $89,645 |
| Hawaii | $191,513 | 193.3 | 318.6 | $84,857 |
Sources: MIT Living Wage Calculator 2024 vintage (state-level anchors), C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026 vintage, US Census ACS 5-year, Child Care Aware of America 2024 childcare cost report, USDA Food Plans (food at home, moderate-cost plan), BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. Estimates here are anchors; specific county-level required income from the MIT Living Wage Calculator. See methodology.
5 cheapest spotlight
Where a family of four needs the least income
#1
Mississippi
Required pre-tax: $75,312Median home $162,100Mississippi has a housing sub-index of 56.2, well below the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $810/month and median home value of $162,100 keep the housing line of a family-of-four budget manageable. Childcare costs in Mississippi are also among the cheapest in the country (annual infant care typically $7,000-9,000 per child). The trade-off: median household income in Mississippi is $46,511, below the US median, so career options and wage growth can be limited compared with higher-cost states.
#2
West Virginia
Required pre-tax: $75,973Median home $145,600West Virginia has a housing sub-index of 56.8, well below the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $780/month and median home value of $145,600 keep the housing line of a family-of-four budget manageable. Childcare costs in West Virginia are also among the cheapest in the country (annual infant care typically $7,000-9,000 per child). The trade-off: median household income in West Virginia is $50,884, below the US median, so career options and wage growth can be limited compared with higher-cost states.
#3
Arkansas
Required pre-tax: $77,603Median home $192,800Arkansas has a housing sub-index of 62.0, well below the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $830/month and median home value of $192,800 keep the housing line of a family-of-four budget manageable. Childcare costs in Arkansas are also among the cheapest in the country (annual infant care typically $7,000-9,000 per child). The trade-off: median household income in Arkansas is $52,528, below the US median, so career options and wage growth can be limited compared with higher-cost states.
#4
Oklahoma
Required pre-tax: $77,617Median home $196,500Oklahoma has a housing sub-index of 60.8, well below the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $880/month and median home value of $196,500 keep the housing line of a family-of-four budget manageable. Childcare costs in Oklahoma are also among the cheapest in the country (annual infant care typically $7,000-9,000 per child). The trade-off: median household income in Oklahoma is $56,956, below the US median, so career options and wage growth can be limited compared with higher-cost states.
#5
Kansas
Required pre-tax: $78,622Median home $207,600Kansas has a housing sub-index of 62.0, well below the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $940/month and median home value of $207,600 keep the housing line of a family-of-four budget manageable. Childcare costs in Kansas are also among the cheapest in the country (annual infant care typically $7,000-9,000 per child). The trade-off: median household income in Kansas is $64,521, below the US median, so career options and wage growth can be limited compared with higher-cost states.
5 most expensive spotlight
Where a family of four needs the most income
#1
Hawaii
Required pre-tax: $191,513Median home $978,200Hawaii has a housing sub-index of 318.6, well above the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $2,350/month and median home value of $978,200 push the housing line of a family-of-four budget to 35-50 percent of pre-tax income. Childcare costs are among the highest in the country (annual infant care typically $18,000-28,000 per child). The offset: median household income in Hawaii is $84,857, well above the US median, and the wage growth in finance, tech, healthcare, and academia tends to be substantial.
#2
Massachusetts
Required pre-tax: $142,509Median home $598,700Massachusetts has a housing sub-index of 210.5, well above the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $2,280/month and median home value of $598,700 push the housing line of a family-of-four budget to 35-50 percent of pre-tax income. Childcare costs are among the highest in the country (annual infant care typically $18,000-28,000 per child). The offset: median household income in Massachusetts is $89,645, well above the US median, and the wage growth in finance, tech, healthcare, and academia tends to be substantial.
#3
California
Required pre-tax: $135,392Median home $785,300California has a housing sub-index of 196.5, well above the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $2,120/month and median home value of $785,300 push the housing line of a family-of-four budget to 35-50 percent of pre-tax income. Childcare costs are among the highest in the country (annual infant care typically $18,000-28,000 per child). The offset: median household income in California is $84,907, well above the US median, and the wage growth in finance, tech, healthcare, and academia tends to be substantial.
#4
New York
Required pre-tax: $119,487Median home $435,800New York has a housing sub-index of 155.8, well above the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $1,780/month and median home value of $435,800 push the housing line of a family-of-four budget to 35-50 percent of pre-tax income. Childcare costs are among the highest in the country (annual infant care typically $18,000-28,000 per child). The offset: median household income in New York is $74,314, well above the US median, and the wage growth in finance, tech, healthcare, and academia tends to be substantial.
#5
Alaska
Required pre-tax: $116,783Median home $345,700Alaska has a housing sub-index of 128.3, well above the US average. Median 2-bedroom rent of $1,330/month and median home value of $345,700 push the housing line of a family-of-four budget to 35-50 percent of pre-tax income. Childcare costs are among the highest in the country (annual infant care typically $18,000-28,000 per child). The offset: median household income in Alaska is $77,640, well above the US median, and the wage growth in finance, tech, healthcare, and academia tends to be substantial.
The childcare wedge
Why childcare is the swing factor for families
For families with children under age 5, childcare is typically the second-largest line item after housing, and in some states it can rival housing. Per the Child Care Aware of America 2024 report, annual infant care cost ranges from roughly $7,000 (Mississippi, Alabama, South Dakota) to roughly $28,000 (Massachusetts, California, New York). For a family with two children under age 5 in full-time daycare, the total childcare cost can exceed $40,000 per year in the most expensive states.
The childcare cost differential between states is much larger than the housing differential in percentage terms. A family relocating from California to Mississippi can see housing cost drop by 70 percent and childcare cost drop by 75 percent. This is one reason that the early-career family relocation pattern (young families moving from coastal HCOL states to the Southeast and Midwest) is so common.
Once children reach school age (typically 5-6), the childcare wedge collapses dramatically. Public school replaces full-time daycare, dropping the cost to roughly the cost of after-school care and summer programs ($2,000-5,000 per child per year in most states). Families often re-evaluate location after the youngest child enters kindergarten, when the high-childcare-cost states become more tenable.
Universal pre-kindergarten programs are expanding in some states (notably Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Florida) which reduces the childcare burden for families with 4-year-olds. The expansion is uneven and quality varies; check the specific district before relying on it for cost planning.
Frequently Asked
Family of four cost of living, answered
What is a family of four's cost of living anchored to?
The MIT Living Wage Calculator publishes an hourly wage threshold for each US state and county that covers a fixed basket of housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and other necessities. For a family of 2 adults and 2 children with both adults working, the 2024 vintage of the MIT Living Wage required pre-tax household income ranges roughly from $80,000 (Mississippi, Kansas, West Virginia) to $170,000 (Hawaii). Our estimates here are anchored to that baseline and adjusted by 2026 state cost-of-living sub-indexes.
What is the cheapest state for a family of four?
Mississippi at approximately $75,312 pre-tax required household income. West Virginia ($75,973), Arkansas ($77,603), Oklahoma ($77,617), and Kansas ($78,622) round out the bottom 5. These are anchors; actual required income varies by specific county and lifestyle. The MIT Living Wage Calculator allows county-level lookups.
What is childcare cost by state for a family with two young children?
Childcare is the second-largest line item after housing for many families with under-school-age children. The Child Care Aware of America 2024 report shows annual infant care cost ranging from roughly $7,000 (Mississippi, Alabama) to roughly $28,000 (Massachusetts, California, New York). For two children under age 5, the cost can exceed $40,000 per year in the most expensive states. Once children reach school age (5-6), the cost drops substantially as public school replaces full-time daycare. Our estimates assume one child in childcare and one in school for the anchor calculation.
How does the MIT Living Wage differ from C2ER?
The MIT Living Wage Calculator targets a specific basket of basic-needs items (housing, childcare, food, healthcare, transportation, other) and calculates the minimum hourly wage required to cover them at a county level. The C2ER Cost of Living Index targets a price comparison across cities for a fixed market basket of professional-managerial-household consumption. The MIT Living Wage is more focused on basic-needs sufficiency; C2ER is more focused on relative price comparison across cities. For family-of-four planning, MIT is generally the more useful anchor.
How much does housing cost matter for a family of four?
Housing is roughly 30-40 percent of a family-of-four budget in most states, rising to 45-50 percent in expensive metros and falling to 25-30 percent in cheaper states. The required income to afford the median-home mortgage at 28 percent of household income varies from roughly $50,000 (Mississippi, West Virginia) to roughly $220,000 (Hawaii, Massachusetts, California). For renters, the math is similar but the absolute cost is lower; required income for a 2-bedroom rental at 28 percent of household income ranges from roughly $35,000 to $100,000.
Does this account for state taxes?
The estimates here are pre-tax required household income. After-tax disposable income depends on state income tax structure, property tax, sales tax, and federal tax. A $100,000 household in a no-state-income-tax state (TX, FL, TN, WA) has roughly $5,000-8,000 more disposable income than the same household in a high-tax state (CA, NY, NJ). For families budgeting around a specific salary, layer the income tax estimate on top of the pre-tax requirement. See our taxes page for state-by-state detail.
What about families with more children or single-parent households?
MIT Living Wage publishes estimates for 1-adult and 2-adult households with 0, 1, 2, or 3 children. A 2-adult, 3-child household typically needs 15-25 percent more pre-tax income than a 2-adult, 2-child household, primarily because of additional childcare and housing-space requirements. A 1-adult, 2-child household typically needs roughly 80 percent of a 2-adult, 2-child household income because there is only one earner but childcare needs are similar. The MIT calculator lets you select the household structure for an exact county-level estimate.