FL STEM Navigator: News From the Field
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A recent comprehensive study by SmartAsset, a financial advising company, reveals a significant increase in the income required to live comfortably across the United States in 2025. The study defines “comfortable living” using the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule: 50% of income for necessities (like housing, food, transportation, and medical expenses), 30% for discretionary spending (hobbies, vacations), and 20% for savings or debt repayment. SmartAsset economists utilized data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, factoring in costs such as housing, food, transportation, and income taxes to determine the necessary pre-tax income for each state.
For residents of Florida, a single adult is estimated to need an annual income of $97,386 to live comfortably, placing Florida 22nd in the nation for individual comfort costs. For a family of four, the required household income jumps to $217,651 per year, ranking Florida 31st nationally in this metric. These figures starkly contrast with Florida’s median individual salary, which was reported as $66,446 in 2023 by the Florida Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic Research, and estimated at $49,261 for 2025 by ZipRecruiter. This disparity highlights a growing gap between actual earnings and the income needed for a comfortable lifestyle in the Sunshine State.
The SmartAsset analysis also found a general upward trend in comfort costs across the country, with individuals needing an average of $5,844 more and families of four needing an additional $9,360 annually compared to last year to maintain a comfortable, sustainable budget.
Examining the most expensive states for comfortable living:
Hawaii takes the top spot for individuals, demanding an annual salary of $124,467 for a single adult. For a family of four, Hawaii is the second most expensive, requiring $294,362 per year. This represents a significant increase from 2024.
Massachusetts ranks as the second most expensive for individual comfort, with a requirement of $120,141 annually. However, it leads the nation as the most expensive state for families of four, needing a substantial $313,747 in household income. Housing costs are a major factor, being 75% higher than the national average in Massachusetts.
California comes in third across the board, with a single adult needing $119,475 annually and a family of four requiring $287,456.
In contrast, “Sun Belt” states generally dominate the list of states where the least income is required for comfortable living. West Virginia stands out as the most affordable state, with a single adult needing just $80,828 in annual earnings to achieve comfort. For a family of four in West Virginia, $195,353 is required. Meanwhile, Mississippi is noted as the state with the lowest household income needed for families, at $186,618.
Notably, Virginia is the only Southern state to appear in the top 10 most expensive places, ranking eighth. A single adult in Virginia needs $106,704 annually, while a family of four would require $241,696 per year.
