Vermont income needed to live comfortably hits $103,667

A single adult in Vermont now needs a pre-tax income of $103,667 annually to cover basic needs and maintain a standard of living that includes discretionary spending and savings. This figure represents a 4.1% increase from 2025, placing the state at number 14 in the nation for the income threshold required to live comfortably.

The analysis by SmartAsset indicates that in every U.S. state, a single adult requires at least $80,000 a year to live comfortably. In nearly half of the states, that threshold exceeds $100,000. For households with two working adults and two children, the income needed to live comfortably is as high as $329,555 in Massachusetts. In Vermont, the specific figure for families of four is not listed in the top or bottom rankings, but the national trend shows that 40 states require at least $200,000 for such a household.

The calculation method treats the living wage as the cost for necessities, which represents 50% of a person's budget. Under the 50/30/20 budgeting rule used for this study, the remaining 50% of income is split between discretionary spending and savings for retirement or emergencies. SmartAsset derived these estimates by adjusting data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator. MIT last updated its data in February 2026 to reflect the most recent available information.

Vermont's 4.1% increase in the required income trails several other New England and Northeastern states. Montana recorded the largest year-over-year increase in the country at 8.6%, where a single adult now needs $100,797. New York followed with an 8.4% increase to $124,342. Maine saw a 6.5% rise to $102,918, and California saw a 6.1% rise to $126,797. Massachusetts, the most expensive state for a family of four, saw a 5.9% increase for single adults to $127,213.

Hawai‘i remains the most expensive state for single adults, requiring an income of $129,002. This represents a 3.6% increase from the previous year. At the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia is the least expensive state for a single adult, where the required income is $81,245. Mississippi is the least expensive for a family of four, with an income requirement of $187,533.

Six states saw a decline in the income needed to live comfortably for single adults in 2026 compared to 2025. These states are Tennessee, Maryland, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. Tennessee recorded the largest decline at 1.7%, lowering the required income for a single adult to $89,898. Maryland saw a 0.9% decrease to $107,910, while Texas saw a 0.2% decrease to $90,563.

The data reflects the pressure on household budgets from costs associated with housing, groceries, and transportation. The study notes that earning a six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial comfort in much of the country. The estimates represent annual, pre-tax income needed to cover minimum basic needs and allow for savings.