What's a livable wage in MD?

Anna King March 06, 2025
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By Bryant Gallagher July 06, 2025

In Maryland, the concept of a livable wage varies depending on the number of adults and children in a household. For a single adult, the living wage is calculated to be approximately $26.17 per hour, which reflects the amount needed to cover basic living expenses such as housing, food, healthcare, and transportation without falling into poverty. For two adults working together, the living wage drops slightly to about $25.11 per hour, as shared expenses can reduce the financial burden on each individual. In contrast, the poverty wage is significantly lower, at $7.52 for one adult and $6.41 for two adults, which indicates the minimum income level necessary to avoid poverty. It's important to note that Maryland's minimum wage is set at $15.00 per hour, which, while higher than the federal minimum wage, still falls short of the living wage for a single adult. This disparity highlights the challenges many workers face in affording a decent standard of living in the state.

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