Indiana State

Columbus, OH

New Jersey State

Upworthy

Public discourse about minimum wage and living wages has been ongoing for years, with people debating whether the government should mandate a minimum hourly pay for workers.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first federal minimum wage law in 1938, setting the lowest wage a worker could be paid at 25 cents per hour. Nearly a century later, the federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr, holding steady since 2009, with people lobbying to raise it to at least $15/hr for over a decade. However, in addition to federal law, each state has its own laws, a handful of which establish a state minimum wage higher than $15, a handful of which don't have a set minimum wage at all and everything in between.Cost of living has also been a hot topic as inflation has squeezed everyone's wallets and certain cities and states have become utterly unaffordable, especially for people in low-wage jobs or who who are just starting out in their careers. So how do minimum wage and cost of living correlate state-by-state? Are there any sweet spots with a high(er) minimum wage and low(er) cost of living? 

6 states where the minimum wage and cost of living offer the best bang for your buck

Louisiana State

NewsNation

The report compared 50 states across dozens of livability factors.

Best and worst states to live in the US, according to WalletHub

South Carolina State

Stephanie Tanner’s iconic “How rude!” line from the 1987 sitcom Full House is a phrase that some Americans use more than they’d like to. According to data by Zippia, while some states are brimming with kindness, others could definitely use a crash course in basic manners.

The Rudest States in America Ranked From 1 to 50

Where someone chooses to retire is a major life decision. Affordability, weather, and community are all important factors that incoming retirees have to weigh when deciding where to settle down — especially if they are relocating. The number of Americans retiring, and expected to retire, is growing. This year...

The 5 best U.S. states to retire in — and the 5 worst

FinanceBuzz

If you want to make the most of your golden years, avoid these cities with low affordability, subpar health care, and more.

The 15 Worst U.S. Cities for Retirement

California State

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

KFI AM 640

This is the absolute safest city to live in California!

California Destination Named 'Safest' Place To Live In The Entire State

Considering retiring somewhere new? The city you choose can have a huge impact on your finances and well-being. According to research by U.S. News & World Report, your golden years could shine even brighter depending on where you decide to settle down. U.S. News gathered its data by assessing the...

50 Best U.S. Cities for Retirement, Ranked

Mississippi State

Black Enterprise

New Mexico came out on top of a list highlighting the states with the highest poverty rates throughout the U.S. New Mexico was ranked first on a list highlighting the states with the highest poverty rates in the U.S. The southwestern state boasted the highest score of 18.2% on a...

New Mexico, Mississippi, And Louisiana Top List of US States With Highest Poverty Rates

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided. Americans who are thinking of relocating to another state have a lot to consider before loading the moving van because each has its own benefits and disadvantages. A new study from the personal finance website WalletHub finds that some states...

12 Most Livable States: 2024

If you live in any of these states, your car insurance bill may be through the roof. Here are the 15 states where you'll pay the most for your car insurance.

15 States Where Car Insurance Costs the Most (Is Yours on the List?)

If you prefer hiking the Appalachian Mountains over lounging on coastal beaches, this year's least-expensive state to retire may be a good fit for you. For the second year in a row, West Virginia is the most affordable state for retirement in the U.S., according to financial services company Bankrate's best and worst states for retirement report, which published last month.

The 10 most affordable U.S. states for retirement in 2024: Half are in the South

Los Angeles County, CA

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

A new analysis from Zillow reveals how much prices have skyrocketed and how much you need to earn to buy a home in 2024.

Can You Afford a Home in These 10 Cities?

Raleigh, NC

Business Insider

ApartmentAdvisor analyzed nearly 100 US cities to find the most renter-friendly ones based on several metrics.

The 7 most renter-friendly big cities in the US

GOBankingRates

Living on Social Security isn't easy, especially when the average retirement benefits check is around $1,870 a month. And with costs rising everywhere, making that money stretch can feel like a...

8 Home Expenses To Cut While on Social Security

West Virginia State

Curious about the cost of renting? We've broken down the hourly earnings you'll need to comfortably tackle rent expenses in each state,

Here’s How Much You Need To Earn per Hour To Afford Rent in Every State

Research from The Senior Citizens League shows that Social Security benefits have lost 20% of their purchasing power since 2010. Social Security benefits may lose buying power again in 2025 because COLAs are based on the CPI-W, which measures inflation based on the spending patterns of workers. Many experts believe...

Social Security's 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) May Do Something It Hasn't Done Since 2021

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

writer

A Dime Saved

As inflation tightens its grip, experts believe the middle class will find it challenging to cover essential expenses such as healthcare, college fees, and housing. The U.S. Labor Department revealed that the annual inflation rate was 3.5% for the year ending in March, higher than the previous rate of 3.2%.

13 Basic Necessities Middle-Class Americans Cannot Afford Anymore Due to Inflation

The U.S. middle class has long been a symbol of American prosperity, a promise that freedom, opportunity and hard work will provide your family a reasonably comfortable life, even if you don't strike it rich. In the past, an average middle class family could presumably afford to buy a modest home and take the family on fun-but-not-extravagant vacations. Not living luxuriously, but easily affording the basics, building up some savings and enjoying a little wiggle room in the budget for occasional extras. A nice, secure life.But the reality of the middle class has shifted over the decades. Not only is...

How much money do you need to make to be considered 'middle class' in the U.S.?

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

NewsBreak

25 least expensive states to live in

Over the last three decades, the rising cost of living has been weighing on Americans. The situation became even more dire in the wake of the...

25 least expensive states to live in

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