How much does your living wage need to be to make it in Miami? Hint: It's going up
The cost of living in Miami-Dade with, and without, children went up again for 2025.
You're going to need about $2,000 to $4,000 a year more in 2025 compared with 2024 for couples. The amounts differ on whether one partner is working or both are. Also, the living wage requirement rises depending on the number of children you have, from one to three, and varies if you're single.
The latest Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator cobbles together figures for the basic cost of living for singles and couples in every state. The data includes housing, food, transportation, childcare and other costs.
According to World Population Review, using Living Wage figures, Hawaii was the most expensive state in terms of required living wage. Massachusetts, California and New York were near the top. West Virginia was the least expensive. Florida came somewhere in the middle at 23rd place.
What is a living wage?
A living wage, defined by MIT, 'is what one full-time worker must earn on an hourly basis to help cover the cost of their family's minimum basic needs where they live while still being self-sufficient.'
The wage takes into account expenses for basic needs like childcare, food, healthcare, housing, internet and cell service, transportation, civic engagement and other necessities.
The living wage and minimum wage differ — living wage factors in basic expenses while minimum wage is set by state law. The current hourly minimum wage in Florida is $13 and is set to rise to $14 after Sept. 30 and $15 one year later in October 2026.
READ MORE: Is it more expensive to buy a house in Miami? Are condo sales still down? Take a look
How much in Miami-Dade County?
Here is how much people in Miami-Dade need to earn as an hourly wage and annual pre-tax income to cover basic necessities in 2025, according to the Living Wage Calculator. The wages depend on how many of the adults are working and how many children there are in the family.
Singles
▪ One adult and no children: hourly wage $24.77; annual salary $51,528.
▪ One adult and one child: hourly wage $40.55; annual salary $84,344.
▪ One adult and two children: hourly wage $49.02; annual salary $101,962.
▪ One adult and three children: hourly wage $61.92; $128,787.
Couples
▪ Two adults with one working, no children: hourly wage $33.58; annual salary $69,850.
▪ Two adults with one working, one child: hourly wage $40.06; annual salary $83,334.
▪ Two adults with one working, two children: hourly wage $43.52; annual salary $90,529.
▪ Two adults with one working, three children: hourly wage $51.08; annual salary $106,252.
▪ Two adults with both working, no children: hourly wage $16.70; annual salary $69,850.
▪ Two adults with both working, one child: hourly wage $22.68; annual salary $94,368.
▪ Two adults with both working, two children: hourly wage $26.82; annual salary $111,588.
▪ Two adults with both working, three children: hourly wage $32.45; annual salary $134,987.
KNOW MORE: Renters are paying less for apartments in Miami, but there are issues. See the costs
How much in Florida?
Here's how Florida compares, overall. Miami-Dade, with its higher living expenses, requires a higher income level than the state.
Singles
▪ One adult and no children: hourly wage $23.41; annual salary $48,863.
▪ One adult and one child: hourly wage $38.72; annual salary $80,539.
▪ One adult and two children: hourly wage $49.02; annual salary $98,855.
▪ One adult and three children: hourly wage $59,644; $124,044.
Couples
▪ Two adults with one working, no children: hourly wage $32.06; annual salary $66,692.
▪ Two adults with one working, one child: hourly wage $40.06; annual salary $78,993.
▪ Two adults with one working, two children: hourly wage $41.50; annual salary $86,312.
▪ Two adults with one working, three children: hourly wage $51.08; annual salary $100,631.
▪ Two adults with both working, no children: hourly wage $16.03; annual salary $66,292.
▪ Two adults with both working, one child: hourly wage $21.81; annual salary $90,724.
▪ Two adults with both working, two children: hourly wage $26.16; annual salary $108,812.
▪ Two adults with both working, three children: hourly wage $31.35; annual salary $130,434.
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