The US Family Budget Dataset provides insights into the cost of living in different US counties based on the Family Budget Calculator by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

This dataset offers community-specific estimates for ten family types, including one or two adults with zero to four children, in all 1877 counties and metro areas across the United States.

Interesting Task Ideas:

1. See how family budgets compare to the federal poverty line and the Supplemental Poverty Measure in different counties.
2. Look into the money challenges faced by different types of families using the budgets provided.
3. Find out which counties have the most affordable places to live, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, and other things people need.
4. Explore how the average income of families relates to the overall cost of living in different counties.
5. Investigate how family size affects the estimated budget and find counties where bigger families have higher costs.
6. Create visuals showing how the cost of living varies across different states and big cities.
7. Check whether specific counties are affordable for families of different sizes and types.
8. Use the dataset to compare living standards and economic security in different US counties.

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West Virginia and Kansas had the lowest cost of living across all U.S. states, with composite costs being half of those found in Hawaii. This was according to a composite index that compares prices for various goods and services on a state-by-state basis. In West Virginia, the cost of living index amounted to **** — well below the national benchmark of 100. Virginia— which had an index value of ***** — was only slightly above that benchmark. Expensive places to live included Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. Housing costs in the U.S. Housing is usually the highest expense in a household’s budget. In 2023, the average house sold for approximately ******* U.S. dollars, but house prices in the Northeast and West regions were significantly higher. Conversely, the South had some of the least expensive housing. In West Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana, the median price of the typical single-family home was less than ******* U.S. dollars. That makes living expenses in these states significantly lower than in states such as Hawaii and California, where housing is much pricier. What other expenses affect the cost of living? Utility costs such as electricity, natural gas, water, and internet also influence the cost of living. In Alaska, Hawaii, and Connecticut, the average monthly utility cost exceeded *** U.S. dollars. That was because of the significantly higher prices for electricity and natural gas in these states.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Davidson County, NC (MWACL37057) from 2009 to 2023 about Davidson County, NC; adjusted; NC; average; wages; real; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Santa Clara County, CA (MWACL06085) from 2009 to 2023 about Santa Clara County, CA; San Jose; adjusted; average; wages; CA; real; and USA.

Key quality of life indicators - cost index, housing.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for New York County, NY (MWACL36061) from 2009 to 2023 about New York County, NY; adjusted; New York; average; NY; wages; real; and USA.

This table contains data on the percent of households paying more than 30% (or 50%) of monthly household income towards housing costs for California, its regions, counties, cities/towns, and census tracts. Data is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Consolidated Planning Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) and the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). The table is part of a series of indicators in the [Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity] Affordable, quality housing is central to health, conferring protection from the environment and supporting family life. Housing costs—typically the largest, single expense in a family's budget—also impact decisions that affect health. As housing consumes larger proportions of household income, families have less income for nutrition, health care, transportation, education, etc. Severe cost burdens may induce poverty—which is associated with developmental and behavioral problems in children and accelerated cognitive and physical decline in adults. Low-income families and minority communities are disproportionately affected by the lack of affordable, quality housing. More information about the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the Attachments.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Jefferson County, CO (MWACL08059) from 2009 to 2023 about Jefferson County, CO; Denver; adjusted; CO; average; wages; real; and USA.

Living Cost: Average per Month: North Caucasian Federal District (NC): Republic of Dagestan data was reported at 10,465.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10,471.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Average per Month: North Caucasian Federal District (NC): Republic of Dagestan data is updated quarterly, averaging 4,846.000 RUB from Jun 2001 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 79 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,471.000 RUB in Sep 2020 and a record low of 1,241.000 RUB in Sep 2001. Living Cost: Average per Month: North Caucasian Federal District (NC): Republic of Dagestan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF001: Living Cost. In January 2010, North Caucasian Federal District was split from Southern Federal District. Since January 2010, North Caucasian Federal District consists of Republic of Dagestan, Republic of Ingushetia, Republic of Kabardino Balkaria, Republic of Karachaevo Cherkessia, Republic of Northern Osetia Alania, Chechen Republic and Stavropol Territory). Since January 2010, Southern Federal District consists of Republic of Adygea, Republic of Kalmykia, Krasnodar Territory, Astrakhan Region, Volgograd Region, Rostov Region. В январе 2010 года из состава Южного Федерального Округа был выделен Северо-Кавказский Федеральный Округ (в составе которого находятся Республика Дагестан, Республика Ингушетия, Кабардино-Балкарская Республика, Карачаево-Черкесская Республика, Республика Северная Осетия — Алания, Чеченская Республика и Ставропольский край). Начиная с января 2010 г в состав Южного Федерального Округа входят Республика Адыгея, Республика Калмыкия, Краснодарский край, Астраханская область, Волгоградская область, Ростовская область.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Madison County, KY (MWACL21151) from 2016 to 2023 about Madison County, KY; adjusted; KY; average; wages; real; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Denver County, CO (MWACL08031) from 2009 to 2023 about Denver County, CO; Denver; adjusted; CO; average; wages; real; and USA.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Ventura County, CA (MWACL06111) from 2009 to 2023 about Ventura County, CA; Oxnard; adjusted; average; wages; CA; real; and USA.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Merrimack County, NH (MWACL33013) from 2016 to 2023 about Merrimack County, NH; NH; adjusted; average; wages; real; and USA.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location