The calculation in four steps
- Start with the local wage. We take the median annual wage for the occupation from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) for the metropolitan or rural area the county belongs to.
- Subtract taxes. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and state income tax are calculated separately for a single filer, using tax year 2025 rules.
- Subtract the basics. A one-bedroom apartment at HUD's Fair Market Rent, a thrifty grocery budget from the USDA, home energy, and gasoline.
- Read what is left. The remainder is shown per year and per month, and as a share of gross pay.
How to read a result page
The key facts
At the top of each page you will see the median salary, the take-home pay after all taxes, and the amount left after rent, food, energy and gasoline. If the basics cost more than take-home pay, the page shows a shortfall instead of a surplus.
The payslip and the bar
The payslip lists every deduction per year, per month and as a percentage of gross pay. The colored bar shows the same split visually: taxes first, then each cost, then whatever remains. Colors always come with labels and percentages, so nothing depends on color alone.
The explanation and the FAQ
The text below the payslip compares the local wage with the state and national averages, explains each tax in numbers, and tests affordability with common rules of thumb such as the 30% rent guideline. The FAQ answers the questions people ask most, using the same figures.
Getting more from the numbers
- Compare counties, not just salaries. A higher wage can be erased by higher rent. Use the "Pay Elsewhere in the State" links on each page.
- Check the hub pages. County and state hubs summarize hundreds of occupations at once and show how many cover the basics.
- Remember it is a median. Half of workers earn more and half earn less. Experience, employer and certifications move the number a lot.
- Add your own costs. Health insurance, student loans, childcare and car payments are not included; subtract them from the "left over" figure.
Want the formulas, tax brackets and assumptions? Read the full methodology, or see where each dataset comes from on the sources page.