According to a recent report, this is the amount of money that an average Maine family in 2024 needs to ‘get by,’ and it’s a bummer.

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Listen, this is a classic case of 'don’t shoot the messenger,' because it bums us out too. We hate how everything is much more expensive nowadays, and it feels like there’s nothing we can do about it.

The goalposts keep shifting, making it harder for everyone, and unfortunately, those posts have been moved once again.

Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
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Before we dive into the numbers, how does one even determine the needed salary for basic survival in Maine?

According to a report published by CNBC, their methodology determined the salary a family of four needs to get by in each U.S. state using data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator. This tool tracks costs for housing, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other common expenses.

Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
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Additionally, the report excludes investment contributions and discretionary expenses such as entertainment or travel. The findings highlight the financial requirements for basic living standards across different states, including our Pine Tree State.

So, what is the amount that a family of four needs to make to ‘get by’ in Maine?

Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
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According to the report from CNBC, in Maine, the average family needs to make an annual income of $114,784.

Furthermore, a SmartAsset study cited in the report reveals that a family of four needs to earn at least $106,903 a year to cover their necessities in most U.S. states, making Maine more expensive than the average.

Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
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If you’re looking to move, at $88,895 a year, apparently, it costs the least in Mississippi to cover basic needs. However, that’s still higher than what most U.S. households typically earn, which is, according to a study from Motio Research, a median of $78,171.

LOOK: Average salary needed to get by in every U.S. state

According to data from GOBankingRates.com, The median salary across the U.S. a single person must make to get by collectively is $57,000. However, some states are far from that.

So how much higher or lower is your state to the national average, and which states are the top 10 most and least affordable overall? Let's find out.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant

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