Single individuals in the US need $45,000 annually for basic expenses, varying by state due to housing and taxes, with Massachusetts, California, and Hawaii requiring the highest estimated income.

A new SmartAsset analysis indicates that single individuals in the US need around $45,000 annually to cover basic expenses, with costs varying significantly by state due to housing prices and taxes. Massachusetts, California, and Hawaii require the highest estimated income, while West Virginia has the lowest requirement. The minimum wage at $7.25 per hour falls short of the needed living wage in most states.