That salary isn't what
you think it is.
LivingWage.now is a free salary reality-check tool that shows what your paycheck covers after rent, food, healthcare, and taxes in any U.S. location — powered by federal data from HUD, BLS, USDA, and the Census Bureau.
How it works
Three steps. No sign-up. Instant results.
Enter a salary
Type in a salary and pick a U.S. location — city, county, or state.
We calculate
We compare the salary against the living wage for that county and household size.
Get your verdict
See if the job covers basic costs — and share the result with anyone.
Powered by federal data
Living wages are calculated from publicly available datasets published by HUD, BLS, USDA, and the Census Bureau — the same sources used by the MIT Living Wage Calculator. Data updated 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a living wage?
A living wage is the minimum income needed for a worker to meet basic needs — housing, food, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and taxes — without public assistance. It varies by location and household size.
Where does the data come from?
All data comes from federal sources: HUD Fair Market Rents, BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, USDA food cost plans, and the U.S. Census Bureau. The methodology is based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
How accurate is the calculator?
The calculator uses the same federal datasets as academic researchers. It reflects regional cost differences at the county level across all 50 states and 3,000+ counties.
Is a living wage the same as minimum wage?
No. Minimum wage is a legal floor set by federal or state law. A living wage is the actual cost of basic needs in a specific location — often significantly higher than the minimum wage.