2019 Living Wage Calculator
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Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team
The 2019 Living Wage Calculator helps you determine what the living wage is for your area in the United States. The living wage is the minimum hourly wage needed to provide a decent standard of living for a worker and their family. This calculator uses the 2019 data from the Living Wage Calculator website to provide accurate results.
How to Use This Calculator
Using the 2019 Living Wage Calculator is simple. Follow these steps:
- Select your state from the dropdown menu.
- Enter the number of people in your household.
- Click the "Calculate" button to see the results.
The calculator will display the hourly and monthly living wage for your selected area. You can also view a comparison of living wages across different regions.
What Is the Living Wage?
The living wage is the minimum hourly wage needed to provide a decent standard of living for a worker and their family. It is calculated based on the cost of living in a particular area and the number of people in the household.
The concept of the living wage was first introduced in the UK in 1997 and has since spread to other countries, including the United States. The goal of the living wage is to ensure that workers can afford basic necessities such as housing, food, and healthcare without relying on government assistance.
Key Points
- The living wage is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
- The living wage varies by region due to differences in the cost of living.
- Employers and policymakers use the living wage to set wages and benefit policies.
How Is the Living Wage Calculated?
The living wage is calculated using a formula that takes into account the cost of living in a particular area and the number of people in the household. The formula used by the 2019 Living Wage Calculator is as follows:
Formula
Living Wage = (Total Monthly Costs / Number of Working Days) / Hours Worked Per Day
Where:
- Total Monthly Costs = Basic Needs Costs + Discretionary Costs
- Basic Needs Costs = Housing + Food + Healthcare + Transportation + Childcare
- Discretionary Costs = Clothing + Entertainment + Miscellaneous
- Number of Working Days = 261 (average number of working days in a year)
- Hours Worked Per Day = 8 (standard full-time workday)
The calculator uses the 2019 cost of living data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other reliable sources to determine the living wage for your selected area.
Comparison of 2019 Living Wage by Region
The following table shows the 2019 living wage for different regions in the United States. The living wage varies by region due to differences in the cost of living.
| Region | Hourly Wage | Monthly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $22.50 | $3,680 |
| California | $21.00 | $3,440 |
| Massachusetts | $19.50 | $3,190 |
| Texas | $18.00 | $2,960 |
| Florida | $17.50 | $2,880 |
As you can see, the living wage varies significantly by region. This is because the cost of living is higher in some areas than others. For example, the living wage in New York is higher than in Texas due to the higher cost of living in New York.