Thread: MIT Living Wage Calculator
06-25-2021, 05:17 PM
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#31
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
I already posted the MINIMUM WAGE calculations and sourceNot sure what the exact percentage is for MW, but a little over 25% of working individual are earning under $24K a year, which is about $12 an hour.

$15 an hour = $30K a year
Another 10% or so between $24K and $30k.
Table is from 2019.

$15 an hour = $30K a year
Another 10% or so between $24K and $30k.
Table is from 2019.
Not sure why you are posting stats completely unrelated to minimum wage
06-25-2021, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Oh boyhttps://livingwage.mit.edu/resources...2021-05-21.pdf
Oh boy, read through the actual assumptions before you guys get up in airs about this
Assumes you need an apartment to yourself (Who was roommates?)
Assumes you need healthcare / drugs
Assumes you need internet (Who was public library?)
Assumes you need a car (Who was walking / biking / bus or public transportation?)
Assumes you need a bunch of money for electronics / entertainment
This is more of a "convenient lifestyle" wage calculator than a "living" wage calculator. You do not need above of the above to live
Oh boy, read through the actual assumptions before you guys get up in airs about this
Assumes you need an apartment to yourself (Who was roommates?)
Assumes you need healthcare / drugs
Assumes you need internet (Who was public library?)
Assumes you need a car (Who was walking / biking / bus or public transportation?)
Assumes you need a bunch of money for electronics / entertainment
This is more of a "convenient lifestyle" wage calculator than a "living" wage calculator. You do not need above of the above to live
Assumes you need a bed frame or mattress just sleep on the floor
Assumes you need chairs, just sit on the floor
Assumes you need a washer/dryer, just hang your clothes outside
Assumes you need a phone, just send a pigeon
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06-25-2021, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted By Contribution05⏩
I'm using the tools available to me. If you want to aggregate data from several sources on state minimum wages and present that, go for itTo be fair, that does say the FEDERAL minimum wage. Might be a lot higher % of people working for state level minimum wage.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
Another good link
06-25-2021, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
should be cheaper since it will probably a Mexican ladyWhat was child care expense?
If only 1 adult is working then I think they assume that the other adult is taking care of the child vs. paying for child care.
Same-ish. Guessing that child care in San Diego is more expensive than in New York.
If only 1 adult is working then I think they assume that the other adult is taking care of the child vs. paying for child care.
Same-ish. Guessing that child care in San Diego is more expensive than in New York.
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06-25-2021, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted By MiamiLife305⏩
Except I gave real examples and you're just giving hyperbole, try again rentcelOh boy
Assumes you need a bed frame or mattress just sleep on the floor
Assumes you need chairs, just sit on the floor
Assumes you need a washer/dryer, just hang your clothes outside
Assumes you need a phone, just send a pigeon
Assumes you need a bed frame or mattress just sleep on the floor
Assumes you need chairs, just sit on the floor
Assumes you need a washer/dryer, just hang your clothes outside
Assumes you need a phone, just send a pigeon
06-25-2021, 05:30 PM
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#36
Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Because I stated in my OP that I thought a $12 federal minimum wage would be reasonable. There may not be a large percentage of workers earning $7.25 per hour, but about 1 in 4 had annual earnings equal to less than $12 an hour full time work.I already posted the MINIMUM WAGE calculations and source
Not sure why you are posting stats completely unrelated to minimum wage
Not sure why you are posting stats completely unrelated to minimum wage
It was a refutation of your dismissal of minimum wage as unimportant due to it only affecting a very small number of people.
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06-25-2021, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
Except it's perfectly reasonable to live on $7.25 an hour, no need for $12Because I stated in my OP that I thought a $12 federal minimum wage would be reasonable. There may not be a large percentage of workers earning $7.25 per hour, but about 1 in 4 had annual earnings equal to less than $12 an hour full time work.
It was a refutation of your dismissal of minimum wage as unimportant due to it only affecting a very small number of people.
It was a refutation of your dismissal of minimum wage as unimportant due to it only affecting a very small number of people.
Also feel free to not limit yourself to only 40 hours a week
06-25-2021, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Explain how its hyperbole?Except I gave real examples and you're just giving hyperbole, try again rentcel
You literally do not need anything I said and will not impact your possibility to succeed in life except for the pigeon part, while everything you mentioned did will
You are coming off as a fool
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06-25-2021, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted By MiamiLife305⏩
The fact that you just asked why it's hyperbole shows why your posts are not to be taken seriouslyExplain how its hyperbole?
You literally do not need anything I said and will not impact your possibility to succeed in life except for the pigeon part, while everything you mentioned did will
You are coming off as a fool
You literally do not need anything I said and will not impact your possibility to succeed in life except for the pigeon part, while everything you mentioned did will
You are coming off as a fool
06-25-2021, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Please explain your reasoning behind my posts being hyperbole and yours were not?The fact that you just asked why it's hyperbole shows why your posts are not to be taken seriously
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06-25-2021, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted By MiamiLife305⏩
A reasonable person would look at my list and agree that yeah, these things aren't really necessary to live a relatively simple lifePlease explain your reasoning behind my posts being hyperbole and yours were not?
A reasonable person would look at your list and call it hyperbole
Any other questions jose?
06-25-2021, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Healthcare is not necessary to live a relatively simple life according to youA reasonable person would look at my list and agree that yeah, these things aren't really necessary to live a relatively simple life
A reasonable person would look at your list and call it hyperbole
Any other questions jose?
A reasonable person would look at your list and call it hyperbole
Any other questions jose?
Ok
Good luck with your mindset about life
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06-25-2021, 05:47 PM
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#43
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Originally Posted By MiamiLife305⏩
It's not?Healthcare is not necessary to live a relatively simple life according to you
Ok
Good luck with your mindset about life
Ok
Good luck with your mindset about life
Don't worry about me Jose, I'm doing just fine!
06-25-2021, 05:58 PM
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#44
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LMAO. Typed in for Va Beach just 1 adult. Says living wage is 16.33.
A bit out of touch with the current real estate market here. I mean I guess it's doable if you have 3 other roommates or live in a roach infested shack.
A bit out of touch with the current real estate market here. I mean I guess it's doable if you have 3 other roommates or live in a roach infested shack.
06-25-2021, 06:08 PM
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#45
Originally Posted By Exiled93⏩
Yeah, have to say the numbers seem on the low side if they really are claiming this wage is to live in your own apartment. Most places here are $1200 a month or more and to qualify to rent them they want you to have $3600 a month gross income > $43K a year. Meanwhile the calculator says living wage for a single adult with no dependents is $30K a year.LMAO. Typed in for Va Beach just 1 adult. Says living wage is 16.33.
A bit out of touch with the current real estate market here. I mean I guess it's doable if you have 3 other roommates or live in a roach infested shack.
A bit out of touch with the current real estate market here. I mean I guess it's doable if you have 3 other roommates or live in a roach infested shack.
Housing. The housing component captures the likely cost of rental housing in a given area in 2020 using HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) estimates. The FMR estimates are produced at the subcounty and county levels.17 County FMRs were obtained by aggregating sub-county estimates (where sub-county estimates existed) using a population-weighted average using population estimates from the 2018 5-year estimates American Community Survey published by the Census Bureau.18 State and metropolitan area FMRs were also obtained by population weighting county FMRs.
This year, HUD is replacing the national trend factor with local and regional trend factors in order to improve the accuracy of the FMRs.19 The FMR estimates include utility costs and vary depending on the number of bedrooms in each unit, from zero to four bedrooms. We assumed that a one adult family would rent a single occupancy unit (zero bedrooms) for an individual adult household, that a two adult family would rent a one-bedroom apartment, and that two adult and one or two child families would rent a two bedroom apartment. We further assumed that families with three children would rent a three bedroom apartment (the adults are allocated one bedroom and the children two bedrooms).
Looks like it is supposed to be based on an efficiency apartment for single/no dependents.This year, HUD is replacing the national trend factor with local and regional trend factors in order to improve the accuracy of the FMRs.19 The FMR estimates include utility costs and vary depending on the number of bedrooms in each unit, from zero to four bedrooms. We assumed that a one adult family would rent a single occupancy unit (zero bedrooms) for an individual adult household, that a two adult family would rent a one-bedroom apartment, and that two adult and one or two child families would rent a two bedroom apartment. We further assumed that families with three children would rent a three bedroom apartment (the adults are allocated one bedroom and the children two bedrooms).
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06-25-2021, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
yeah cuz they usually have roommatesMeanwhile the calculator says living wage for a single adult with no dependents is $30K a year.
40k is pretty much maxing out if youre just a basic FT working drone
06-25-2021, 06:18 PM
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#47
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Lol im in San Diego. $21/hour should be in the "poverty wage" column theres absolutely no way to live on that unless you have roommates and rent is split 4 ways in a 1 bedroom apartment.
06-25-2021, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
You could easily fit 2-3 people in a 500-600 square foot efficiencyYeah, have to say the numbers seem on the low side if they really are claiming this wage is to live in your own apartment. Most places here are $1200 a month or more and to qualify to rent them they want you to have $3600 a month gross income > $43K a year. Meanwhile the calculator says living wage for a single adult with no dependents is $30K a year.
Looks like it is supposed to be based on an efficiency apartment for single/no dependents.
Looks like it is supposed to be based on an efficiency apartment for single/no dependents.
Or go with just renting a room in a house
One person does not need 500+ square feet to themselves
06-25-2021, 06:27 PM
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#49
Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
That won't help you a lot in the big TX cities right now. For a legit room rental in a house people are advertising around $800 a month, sometimes $1,000.You could easily fit 2-3 people in a 500-600 square foot efficiency
Or go with just renting a room in a house
One person does not need 500+ square feet to themselves
Or go with just renting a room in a house
One person does not need 500+ square feet to themselves
This is assuming you skip the ads where they are looking for a "pool boy" or a female willing to provide housework and other "benefits".
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06-25-2021, 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
Yeah if I were a poor person I would just go with the best mix of cheap and nice I could get. Probably just rent an efficiency with 2 other peopleThat won't help you a lot in the big TX cities right now. For a legit room rental in a house people are advertising around $800 a month, sometimes $1,000.
This is assuming you skip the ads where they are looking for a "pool boy" or a female willing to provide housework and other "benefits".
This is assuming you skip the ads where they are looking for a "pool boy" or a female willing to provide housework and other "benefits".
But of course I'm not poor because why put myself in that situation lol
https://dallas.craigslist.org/d/rooms-shares/search/roo
Also, seeing plenty here for under $800 with no sex strings attached, which city are you saying you can't get a room rental for under $800?
06-25-2021, 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Well he's right, technically by your point don't buy any furniture if you can't afford to live in your areaExcept I gave real examples and you're just giving hyperbole, try again rentcel
06-25-2021, 06:34 PM
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06-25-2021, 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted By MikeLowrrrey⏩
Refer to my above postsWell he's right, technically by your point don't buy any furniture if you can't afford to live in your area
06-25-2021, 06:44 PM
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#54
Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Haven't looked myself since around February. Pulled up my general area and still seeing $700, $800, $1000...Yeah if I were a poor person I would just go with the best mix of cheap and nice I could get. Probably just rent an efficiency with 2 other people
But of course I'm not poor because why put myself in that situation lol
https://dallas.craigslist.org/d/rooms-shares/search/roo
Also, seeing plenty here for under $800 with no sex strings attached, which city are you saying you can't get a room rental for under $800?
But of course I'm not poor because why put myself in that situation lol
https://dallas.craigslist.org/d/rooms-shares/search/roo
Also, seeing plenty here for under $800 with no sex strings attached, which city are you saying you can't get a room rental for under $800?
https://dallas.craigslist.org/d/room...search/ftw/roo
There may be less expensive options that are okay. But there are also areas that aren't the safest or very convenient to better jobs.
Don't know if it is one person/group or different people, but there are regularly listings like this where it seems someone is buying homes, furnishing them, and then instead of renting to a family renting out the rooms for $800 to $1000 each.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/ro...340326147.html
Originally Posted By Peacening⏩
Wow.San Francisco living wage for an adult with 1 kid is $57/hr or 115k/year
Can't say if it is accurate or not, but that sort of thing seems like it could be good to know if you are looking to move to a more expensive area.
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06-25-2021, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
Ahh I see, we're going from "what is required to live" to "What is the safest and convenient"Haven't looked myself since around February. Pulled up my general area and still seeing $700, $800, $1000...
https://dallas.craigslist.org/d/room...search/ftw/roo
There may be less expensive options that are okay. But there are also areas that aren't the safest or very convenient to better jobs.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/d/room...search/ftw/roo
There may be less expensive options that are okay. But there are also areas that aren't the safest or very convenient to better jobs.
06-25-2021, 06:59 PM
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#56
Originally Posted By BigDeeps01⏩
Ahh I see, we're going from "what is required to live" to "What is the safest and convenient"

Why so mad though?
Yes, it is a trade off. I don't believe that I've argued at any point that a person can't do without. And I didn't design the calculator.
You can possibly get a less expensive place to stay, but you may not really save much on net if you increase your expense to commute to your workplace [greater distance], increase the cost you pay for food [poor neighborhood : fewer grocery stores], or have to deal with theft or even an assault.
I would think that if you are a landlord [iirc?] you would be fine with wages increasing as then you could probably increase the rental prices on your properties.
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06-25-2021, 07:06 PM
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#57
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Originally Posted By katya422⏩
Why so mad though?
Yes, it is a trade off. I don't believe that I've argued at any point that a person can't do without. And I didn't design the calculator.
You can possibly get a less expensive place to stay, but you may not really save much on net if you increase your expense to commute to your workplace [greater distance], increase the cost you pay for food [poor neighborhood : fewer grocery stores], or have to deal with theft or even an assault.
I would think that if you are a landlord [iirc?] you would be fine with wages increasing as then you could probably increase the rental prices on your properties.
Who's mad? I'm pointing out that the underlying calculations in this "living wage" calculator are bullchit, that's all
Why so mad though?
Yes, it is a trade off. I don't believe that I've argued at any point that a person can't do without. And I didn't design the calculator.
You can possibly get a less expensive place to stay, but you may not really save much on net if you increase your expense to commute to your workplace [greater distance], increase the cost you pay for food [poor neighborhood : fewer grocery stores], or have to deal with theft or even an assault.
I would think that if you are a landlord [iirc?] you would be fine with wages increasing as then you could probably increase the rental prices on your properties.
Also, supply and demand, my rents are gonna stay high regardless of what the wagies are earning lol
06-25-2021, 07:17 PM
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06-25-2021, 07:34 PM
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What expenses make up their living wage calculation? How did they get their numbers? What is their methodology?
06-25-2021, 07:38 PM
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The new york min wage is wrong. Min wage in NY is $15
also living wage def not $20 closer to $25
one bed room apartments go for $1300-$1500 in a good area and LOL at a 1 bed room in NYC brb 2k for a closet space
also living wage def not $20 closer to $25
one bed room apartments go for $1300-$1500 in a good area and LOL at a 1 bed room in NYC brb 2k for a closet space
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