Free Republic

A list published by GOBankingRates is going viral because it shows just how much it costs to live in America’s 50 biggest cities in 2024’s economy. The list, put together by measuring data from US Census, Zillow, BestPlaces and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, determines “living comfortably” as needs not exceeding 50% of one’s income. This is known as the 50-30-20 rule or plan, where 50% of one’s income meets the costs of living, 30% is expendable, and 20% remains in savings. Of the top eight most expensive cities in the US, California’s biggest population hubs take up a whopping...

(NEXSTAR) — Even if your paycheck is slightly larger this year, you may find yourself on a tight budget, with housing, groceries, and more still sporting high price tags. A recent survey shows most Americans can hardly afford a $1,000 emergency. Unsurprisingly, where you live can have an impact on the wiggle room — or lack of it — in your budget. Personal finance site SmartAsset recently reviewed data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, which estimates the living wage needed to support various family sizes across the country based on expenditure data for food, childcare, insurance, housing, transportation, and...