You must make this much money just to live alone in SC in 2023, new report shows

Being single in South Carolina has become more expensive than ever, a new report shows.

Personal finance site GoBankingRates recently released a study detailing the amount of money a person needs to earn to have a living wage in each state. The cost of goods has risen significantly in the past year, meaning the living wage needed for a single person has also increased.

“Whether you’ve shopped for groceries, gas or even a car in the past year, you know that prices have risen significantly since 2022,” GoBankingRates states. “The consumer price index report from July 2023 showed that prices on the “all items index” have increased 3.2% in the past 12 months.”

SC living wage

So how much does it cost for a single person to live in South Carolina and cover all their expenses? According to the report, a single South Carolinian needs to earn $52,222 a year.

That places South Carolina 28th among states with the highest living wage requirements. North Carolina was more expensive, ranking 25th highest with a living wage of $53,531 a year. Hawaii was by far the most expensive with $112,411 a year or a living wage.

Methodology

Researchers used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Missouri Economic Research Information Center to calculate the annual cost of necessities for a single person. That amount was then doubled to determine a living wage that factors in discretionary spending and savings.

10 states with the highest living wage levels

1. Hawaii: $112,411
2. Massachusetts: $87,909
3. California: $80,013
4. New York: $73,226
5. Alaska: $71,570
6. Maryland: $67,915
7. Vermont: $65,923
8. Oregon: $65,763
9. Washington: $65,640
10. New Jersey: $64,463

Patrick McCreless

The State

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Patrick McCreless is the Southeast service journalism editor for McClatchy, who leads and edits a team of six reporters in South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi. The team writes about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.