How much should a couple make a year?

How much a couple should make varies, but to live comfortably, many need $80,000 to over $120,000 annually, depending heavily on location (high-cost cities need much more) and family size, with studies showing averages around $146,000 for married couples, while basic needs alone in some states start near $60,000-$70,000 for a couple without kids, says SmartAsset, CNBC, and Self.

What is the 50 30 20 rule in marriage?

If you follow the 50-30-20 rule (50 percent of your income goes to ``needs,'' 30 percent goes to ``wants,'' and 20 percent goes to savings), then keeping that 30 percent in your own account for now may smooth over some of your relationship's rough spots.

What is a good 2 person income?

Working couples with no kids need to earn at least $62,766 to cover their basic needs in the U.S. — far less than families who also need to cover additional expenses like child care.

Can a couple live on $30,000 a year?

Yes, you can live on 30k a year or less. You just live within your means and keep a budget, tithe, and save up money. If you know you want to marry this person, why wait? What's worse: living on a tight budget or not being able to have sex?

Can a family survive on $70,000 per year?

Yes, supporting a family on $70k a year is possible, but it's challenging and heavily depends on your location, family size (especially childcare needs), and spending habits, requiring careful budgeting as it's often below the required living wage in high-cost areas like LA or NYC but potentially manageable in lower-cost regions or rural areas. You'll likely need to prioritize needs, minimize luxuries, and find affordable housing to make it work, as high costs like rent, healthcare, and childcare can quickly consume that income. 

How should a married couple's budget be decided?

Can I afford a 400k house making 70k a year?

It's unlikely you can comfortably afford a $400k house on a $70k salary because standard affordability rules (like the 28/36 rule) suggest a budget closer to $210k-$300k, depending on factors like your down payment, credit, and existing debts. A $400k home would likely push your total monthly housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) above the recommended 28-30% of your gross income, potentially leaving you "house broke". 

What salary is considered middle class?

A middle-class salary varies significantly by location and household size, but generally, it's defined as two-thirds to double the median household income for your area, according to Pew Research Center and SmartAsset.com. Nationally, this might mean roughly $51,000 to $155,000 (in 2023/2024 dollars) for a typical household, but in expensive cities like San Jose, CA, the range can be $90,000 to over $270,000, while in lower-cost states like Mississippi, it's closer to $36,000 to $108,000. 

Can a couple live off of 50k a year?

You'd survive, but that's about it. Any major expense would be a huge problem.

Is $80,000 a good salary for a couple?

Yes, $80k for a couple is generally considered a comfortable, middle-class income in most U.S. areas, allowing for savings and a decent lifestyle, but it becomes tight in high-cost-of-living (HCOL) cities like NYC or San Francisco, especially with high housing costs or kids. Your ability to live comfortably depends heavily on your location's cost of living (COL) and your specific spending habits, such as prioritizing housing or saving. 

What percentage of Americans make $130,000?

They found that the top 20% of all Americans earn over $130,000 in income. Thats over 5 times more than the bottom 20%.

What is considered a livable wage in 2025?

Here's how much you need to earn per hour to earn a living wage in California in 2025, according to the MIT living wage calculator: Single adult with no children: $28.72. Single adult with one child: $50.83. Single adult with two children: $64.17.

What stage do most couples break up?

Most couples break up during the transition from the initial "honeymoon" phase to deeper commitment, often around the 2 to 4-year mark, when passion fades, conflicts arise, and major life decisions (like marriage or career paths) are confronted. Key high-risk periods include the first few months (before 2 months), the first year, and around the 3-year mark as the initial excitement wears off and partners see if they align long-term.
 

Who suffers most in divorce financially?

Women generally suffer the most financially from divorce due to lower earning power, career interruptions for childcare, and higher likelihood of primary caregiver roles, leading to significant income drops and poverty risks, while men often see a temporary dip but can recover or even improve their situation, though they face increased expenses like child support and maintaining a separate household. Factors like the gender pay gap, childcare costs, and inconsistent child support payments exacerbate women's financial instability post-divorce, with many losing homes and insurance.
 

What is the 2 2 2 2 rule in marriage?

The 2-2-2 Rule in marriage is a relationship guideline to keep couples connected by scheduling regular, focused time together: a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. It's designed to prevent couples from drifting apart by creating intentional, distraction-free moments for communication, fun, and intimacy, fostering a stronger bond and preventing boredom, though flexibility is key, especially with kids or finances. 

Can I afford a 200K house on 50K salary?

Affording a $200k house on a $50k salary is a stretch and likely not recommended by experts, who suggest needing around $75k-$80k income for that price, as it strains the typical 28% housing budget rule (you'd need $1,167/month max housing, but a $200k loan often costs more). However, it might be possible with significant compromises: lower-cost areas, a fixer-upper, excellent credit, low existing debt, or first-time buyer programs like FHA loans. 

How much hourly is $50,000 a year?

$50,000 a year is approximately $24.04 per hour, based on a standard full-time work year of 2,080 hours (40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year). This is calculated by dividing the annual salary by the total work hours: $50,000 / 2,080 hours = ~$24.04/hour. 

Is $50,000 salary middle class?

The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as households that earn between two-thirds and double the median U.S. household income, which was $83,730 in 2024. 2 Using Pew's yardstick, middle income is made up of people who make between $55,820 and $167,460.

Is 30k a year poverty?

Yes, $30,000 a year is considered at or below the poverty level for a family of four in the US, but for a single person, it's generally above the poverty line but still considered low income, especially in high-cost areas, as it depends heavily on family size, location, and living expenses. While a single person earning $30k might manage in low-cost areas, it often qualifies for some government assistance and is near the low-income threshold for programs like health insurance subsidies. 

Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour?

Average Chick-fil-A Restaurants hourly pay ranges from approximately $20.21 per hour for Kitchen Team Member to $28.46 per hour for Kitchen Manager. Salary estimated from 11 past and present job postings on Indeed.

What income is considered middle class?

Middle-class income is generally defined as two-thirds to double the national or local median household income, varying significantly by location and household size, but roughly falling between $50,000 and $150,000 nationally for a three-person household in 2022-2024, though much higher in expensive areas like California or New York. For instance, in California (2025 data), it's $63,674 to $190,644, while in San Jose, it's much higher due to high living costs.
 

What is a good income for a family?

A "good" household income varies wildly by location and lifestyle, but generally, $100,000+ allows for comfortable living in many areas, while $60k-$200k often defines the middle class, with high-cost areas like California needing significantly more, sometimes over $190k to be middle-class, and even $200k salaries feeling stretched. A truly good income supports your desired lifestyle, covering housing, savings, and expenses comfortably, with some studies suggesting around $75k might be the emotional well-being sweet spot before diminishing returns, though practical needs push this higher. 

What percentage of Americans make over $150,000?

A third of US American families now have an income over $150,000 (adjusted for inflation of course).

What are the 5 wealth classes?

The concept of "5 wealth classes" often refers to a breakdown of U.S. households by net worth, typically categorizing them as the Bottom 25%, Lower Middle Class, Upper Middle Class, Upper Class (top 25%), and the Wealthiest 10%, with defined net worth ranges for each tier, according to financial reports like those from MarketWatch. Another perspective defines wealth more broadly across five dimensions: Financial, Social, Time, Physical (Health), and Spiritual wealth, focusing on overall life quality beyond just money.