• frezik@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    1 day ago

    As of 4th quarter 2024, average cost of living for a single person in the US is $4,948/month. Take that $8,333/month, chop off 20% for taxes, and you’re already getting uncomfortably close to that number. For a family of four, I really don’t see how those numbers work at all.

    • Buffalox@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      Average because 1% own half the wealth, average has nothing to do with normal people. You need median. Many people don’t even make 5k per month before taxes.

      • frezik@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        1 day ago

        Those figures won’t be that far apart. It will somewhat, because higher incomes will have a bigger house and more luxurious car. However, they’re putting more of their money into investments, not cost of living.

        And I’ll reiterate, that’s the average for one person, not a family.

          • frezik@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            13 hours ago

            I’m having trouble finding a reference to median US living expenses, but you can cut the above number in half if you like. Multiplying it for a family of four won’t necessarily be 4x, but it’ll be more than 2x.

    • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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      1 day ago

      The 33-year-old works in affordable housing development and identifies as a HENRY, or a high earner, but not rich yet.