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If you are a single person in Los Angeles making around $70,000 a year, you are still considered low-income, according to a new statewide study.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development released the report in June and found that income limits have increased in most counties across California.
The income limits are calculated annually based on federal guidelines and are used to determine eligibility for certain programs, such as affordable housing. The limits change based on the number of people in a household.
Here are the income limits for single-person households in Southern California:
- Los Angeles County: $70,650
- San Bernardino County: $52,200
- San Diego County: $77,200
- Santa Barbara County: $82,950
The study also showed that single-person households in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties who made $104,000 were also considered low-income.
In Central California, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Mariposa counties, all considered single-person households making $46,200 a year to be low income.
Analysts also found that median income amounts have increased, with many being in the six-figure range.
In Los Angeles County, the median income is $98,200; in Orange County, it’s $127,800.
The complete report can be viewed here.
FAQs
If you're single and live in an area where the cost of living is below average, you can likely live well on $70,000.
What income is considered lower class? ›
Where you rank by income. According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.
What qualifies as low income in America? ›
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses the Census Bureau threshold to determine who is eligible for certain government assistance programs, like SNAP (food stamps). Under their guidelines, a family of four is considered impoverished if they earn $30,000 or less per year.
Is $70 K middle class? ›
Is $70K a Year Considered Middle Class? According to the Pew Research Center, approximately half of U.S. adults are considered middle- class. Determining your income class as a single person earning $70,000 is a moving target depending on where you live.
What is a low salary income? ›
These guidelines are adjusted each year for inflation. In 2023, the federal poverty level definition of low income for a single-person household is $14,580 annually. Each additional person in the household adds $5,140 to the total. For example, the poverty guideline is $30,000 per year for a family of four.
How much is 70K a year hourly? ›
If you make $70,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $33.65.
What is a livable salary for one person? ›
But just how much does a single person in California need to make to live comfortably? A new study from Smart Asset determined that a person must make at least $ 89,190 to get by comfortably.
Is $80,000 enough in Los Angeles? ›
According to the study, a Los Angeles resident without children would need to make $76,710 after taxes to live comfortably. The study is based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator, which uses the cost of housing, food, transportation, medical care and more.
What is low income in CA? ›
Very-Low, Low and Moderate-Income Limits
| Household Size | Very-Low Income | Low-Income |
|---|
| 1 | $11,550 or less | $11,551 - $19,300 |
| 2 | $13,200 or less | $13,201 - $22,050 |
| 3 | $14,900 or less | $14,901 - $24,800 |
| 4 | $16,550 or less | $16,551 - $27,550 |
4 more rowsAccording to the study, a middle-class income averages between $52,000 and $155,000 in a large U.S. city. The median household income across all 345 cities is $77,345, making middle-class income limits fall between $51,558 and $154,590.
One way some researchers divide individuals into economic classes is by looking at their incomes. From that data, they split earners into different classes: poor, lower-middle class, middle class, upper-middle class and wealthy.
How much money per month is considered poor? ›
48 Contiguous States
| Household/ Family Size | 2024 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 Contiguous States (Monthly Income) |
|---|
| 100% | 150% |
| 1 | $1,255 | $1,883 |
| 2 | $1,703 | $2,555 |
| 3 | $2,152 | $3,228 |
6 more rowsMar 6, 2024
The low-income category includes both the poor and the near poor.
What is the average US low-income? ›
About 50 million Americans have household incomes below 125% of poverty, including more than 15 million children. In 2022, household incomes below 125% of poverty correspond to annual incomes below $34,500 for a family of four or $17,500 for an individual.
What percentage of people make over 70K? ›
Percentage distribution of household income in the United States in 2022
| Annual household income in U.S. dollars | Percentage of U.S. households |
|---|
| 25,000 to 34,999 | 7.6% |
| 35,000 to 49,999 | 10.6% |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16.2% |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12.3% |
5 more rowsMay 22, 2024
If you make $70K a year, you can likely afford a new home between $290,000 and $310,000*. That translates to a monthly house payment between $2,000 and $2,500, which includes your monthly mortgage payment, taxes, and home insurance.
Is 75k a year poor? ›
Today, $75,000 is a statistical gateway to the modern middle class: Though it's more than what many Americans earn, it's still not enough to relieve the many anxieties rooted in money.
What is the income of 70K? ›
As of Jun 6, 2024, the average annual pay for a 70K A Year in the United States is $44,728 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $21.50 an hour. This is the equivalent of $860/week or $3,727/month.
