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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
2023/2024:
| Family Size (Persons in Family/Household) | Annual Family Income |
|---|
| HUD Low Income Level 1 | HUD Extremely Low Income Level 3 |
|---|
| 1 | $70,650 | $26,500 |
| 2 | $80,750 | $30,300 |
| 3 | $90,850 | $34,100 |
6 more rows2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines
| Persons in Family Household | Poverty Guideline | MAGI Household Income <500% FPL |
|---|
| 1 | $15,060 | $75,300 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $102,200 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $129,100 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $156,000 |
4 more rowsMar 29, 2024
As of May 5, 2024, the average annual pay for the Lower Class jobs category in Los Angeles is $61,197 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $29.42 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,176/week or $5,099/month.
Can I live in LA making 70k a year? ›
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 a livable income in Los Angeles? ›
As a rule of thumb, a good salary in Los Angeles is between $100k and $200k gross per year. Based on the cost of living in Los Angeles, this should come down to a minimum of $76,710 yearly after taxes.
Is 70k a year good for a single person? ›
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.
What is considered a low salary in California? ›
Very-Low, Low and Moderate-Income Limits
| Household Size | Very-Low Income | Low-Income |
|---|
| 3 | $14,900 or less | $14,901 - $24,800 |
| 4 | $16,550 or less | $16,551 - $27,550 |
| 5 | $17,850 or less | $17,851 - $29,750 |
| 6 | $19,150 or less | $19,151 - $31,950 |
4 more rowsThis is the equivalent of $1,334/week or $5,781/month. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $73,525 and as low as $66,123, the majority of $75000 salaries currently range between $68,600 (25th percentile) to $71,600 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $72,537 annually in California.
Is 80k a good salary in Los Angeles? ›
$80,000 a year considered 'low-income' in Orange County, $70,000 in Los Angeles, state report says - ABC7 Los Angeles.
What is a good salary for a single person in California? ›
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.
EWC 2024 Income Eligibility Guidelines
| Number of Persons in Family/Household | Monthly Gross Household Income | Annual Gross Household Income |
|---|
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
5 more rowsMar 8, 2024
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 is poverty wage in Los Angeles? ›
Living Wage Calculation for Los Angeles County, California
| 1 ADULT | 2 ADULTS (1 WORKING) |
|---|
| 0 Children | 1 Child |
|---|
| Living Wage | $26.63 | $43.61 |
| Poverty Wage | $7.24 | $12.41 |
| Minimum Wage | $16.00 | $16.00 |
LOS ANGELES - Are you considered "middle class" by California standards? A study by Consumer Affairs has tabulated the minimum annual income require for a family of four to be considered middle class in each state, and in California, that income is $69,064.
How much is 70k after taxes in Los Angeles? ›
If you make $70,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $17,665. That means that your net pay will be $52,335 per year, or $4,361 per month. Your average tax rate is 25.2% and your marginal tax rate is 41.0%.
Is 70k a good salary for a single person? ›
A single person may be able to live well on this income in many places. But if you're supporting a spouse and children, it may prove more difficult. If you're supporting others, consider your family's monthly expenses to determine if $70,000 is enough to pay for everyone's needs.
Is $80,000 enough in Los Angeles? ›
$80,000 a year considered 'low-income' in Orange County, $70,000 in Los Angeles, state report says - ABC7 Los Angeles.
What is considered high income in Los Angeles? ›
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $113,453 and as low as $21,010, the majority of Upper Class salaries currently range between $40,969 (25th percentile) to $71,433 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $90,342 annually in Los Angeles.
