Stretching a paycheck beyond the basics is becoming harder for many Americans. After covering taxes and essential expenses, the disposable income that is left impacts a household’s ability to save, invest or stay afloat. But high prices of housing, food, childcare and more can keep households struggling, leaving many families with little or nothing to spare at the end of the month. Furthermore, in most large U.S. cities, the median household income falls short of what’s needed to support a small family — sometimes by up to tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Keeping this in mind, SmartAsset subtracted the local costs of necessities from the median household annual income in 100 of the largest U.S. counties. Costs for households with two working adults and one child, as well as households with a single adult, were compared.
Households in Fairfax County, Virginia have the most disposable income. Costs in 2024 were lowest relative to the median household income in Fairfax County, both for families and single adults. A family of two adults and one child earning the median household income could expect to have $29,941 left over throughout the year, compared with $83,875 left as disposable income for a single adult earning the same median income.
Only 18% of all counties have a median income higher than the cost to maintain a small family. Out of 100 counties nationwide, only 18 saw positive disposable income leftover after accounting for basic costs, with the surplus going as low as just a few hundred dollars annually. If earning the local median household income, 82% of households would fall financially short supporting two adults and a child.
Four Texas counties rank among the top 10 places for families with the most disposable income. Collin County ranked second overall with $20,801 left over for small families and $62,193 for single adults. Fort Bend ranked fourth with $15,769 in annual spare income for families and $56,932 for single adults. Denton County came in seventh with families seeing $12,481 leftover from a median income ($53,353 for single adults). Montgomery County also placed eighth with families having $9,254 leftover after expenses ($49,627 for adults).
Santa Clara County, California, had the highest median household income at $150,502. After accounting for the particularly high costs, Santa Clara County ranked as the third-highest disposable income for a small family at $20,377. For single adults, it had the second-highest level of disposable income at $81,883.
Those in Bronx County, New York have the least disposable income. The costs for supporting a single adult or a three-person family outweigh the median household income — the only county that had negative disposable income for both household types. Small families might expect a deficit of $58,718 per year, while individuals fall short $8,133 annually. Kings and Queens counties in New York also have the second- and third-highest deficits on disposable incomes for small families.
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Fairfax County, Virginia
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $29,941
Disposable income for a single adult: $83,875
Median household income: $144,632
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $114,691
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $60,757
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 11.7%
Collin County, Texas
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $20,801
Disposable income for a single adult: $62,193
Median household income: $113,943
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $93,142
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $51,750
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 10.9%
Santa Clara County, California
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $20,377
Disposable income for a single adult: $81,883
Median household income: $150,502
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $130,125
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $68,619
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 15.2%
Fort Bend County, Texas
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $15,769
Disposable income for a single adult: $56,932
Median household income: $105,583
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $89,814
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $48,651
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 11%
Nassau County, New York
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $14,306
Disposable income for a single adult: $77,600
Median household income: $135,528
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $121,222
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $57,928
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 17.3%
Montgomery County, Maryland
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $12,606
Disposable income for a single adult: $61,610
Median household income: $118,020
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $105,414
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $56,410
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 13.9%
Denton County, Texas
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $12,481
Disposable income for a single adult: $53,353
Median household income: $102,711
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $90,230
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $49,358
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 10.6%
Montgomery County, Texas
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $9,254
Disposable income for a single adult: $49,627
Median household income: $95,241
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $85,987
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $45,614
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 10.3%
Bergen County, New Jersey
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $9,136
Disposable income for a single adult: $62,155
Median household income: $113,885
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $104,749
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $51,730
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 17.5%
Utah County, Utah
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $8,640
Disposable income for a single adult: $47,037
Median household income: $95,085
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $86,445
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $48,048
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 10.5%
Fairfax County, Virginia
Disposable income for a single adult: $83,875
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $29,941
Median household income: $144,632
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $60,757
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $114,691
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 11.7%
Santa Clara County, California
Disposable income for a single adult: $81,883
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $20,377
Median household income: $150,502
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $68,619
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $130,125
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 15.2%
Nassau County, New York
Disposable income for a single adult: $77,600
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $14,306
Median household income: $135,528
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $57,928
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $121,222
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 17.3%
San Francisco County, California
Disposable income for a single adult: $75,587
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $7,488
Median household income: $135,366
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $59,779
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $127,878
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 15.5%
San Mateo County, California
Disposable income for a single adult: $72,264
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $774
Median household income: $143,795
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $71,531
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $143,021
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 17.2%
Collin County, Texas
Disposable income for a single adult: $62,193
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $20,801
Median household income: $113,943
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $51,750
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $93,142
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 10.9%
Bergen County, New Jersey
Disposable income for a single adult: $62,155
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $9,136
Median household income: $113,885
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $51,730
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $104,749
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 17.5%
Alameda County, California
Disposable income for a single adult: $61,806
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $176
Median household income: $121,190
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $59,384
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $121,014
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 16.3%
Montgomery County, Maryland
Disposable income for a single adult: $61,610
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: $12,606
Median household income: $118,020
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $56,410
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $105,414
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 13.9%
Suffolk County, New York
Disposable income for a single adult: $59,703
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$3,883
Median household income: $119,253
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $59,550
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $123,136
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 17.7%
Bronx County, New York
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$58,718
Disposable income for a single adult: -$8,133
Median household income: $45,864
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $104,582
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $53,997
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 29.1%
Kings County, New York
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$40,782
Disposable income for a single adult: $11,426
Median household income: $73,244
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $114,026
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $61,818
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 25.1%
Queens County, New York
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$38,089
Disposable income for a single adult: $14,514
Median household income: $80,180
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $118,269
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $65,666
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 22.4%
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$36,050
Disposable income for a single adult: $10,022
Median household income: $56,385
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $92,435
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $46,363
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 19.4%
Multnomah County, Oregon
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$30,434
Disposable income for a single adult: $24,416
Median household income: $79,432
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $109,866
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $55,016
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 16.8%
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$29,817
Disposable income for a single adult: $18,543
Median household income: $58,375
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $88,192
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $39,832
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 16.6%
New York County, New York
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$29,328
Disposable income for a single adult: $26,229
Median household income: $95,514
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $124,842
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $69,285
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 19%
Wayne County, Michigan
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$26,690
Disposable income for a single adult: $15,056
Median household income: $55,928
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $82,618
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $40,872
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 16.1%
Los Angeles County, California
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$26,204
Disposable income for a single adult: $27,065
Median household income: $82,455
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $108,659
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $55,390
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 22.6%
Monroe County, New York
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$25,431
Disposable income for a single adult: $23,303
Median household income: $68,169
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $93,600
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $44,866
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 14.2%
Bronx County, New York
Disposable income for a single adult: -$8,133
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$58,718
Median household income: $45,864
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $53,997
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $104,582
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 29.1%
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Disposable income for a single adult: $10,022
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$36,050
Median household income: $56,385
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $46,363
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $92,435
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 19.4%
Hidalgo County, Texas
Disposable income for a single adult: $11,094
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$22,561
Median household income: $48,825
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $37,731
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $71,386
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 13.5%
Kings County, New York
Disposable income for a single adult: $11,426
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$40,782
Median household income: $73,244
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $61,818
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $114,026
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 25.1%
Queens County, New York
Disposable income for a single adult: $14,514
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$38,089
Median household income: $80,180
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $65,666
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $118,269
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 22.4%
Wayne County, Michigan
Disposable income for a single adult: $15,056
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$26,690
Median household income: $55,928
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $40,872
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $82,618
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 16.1%
El Paso County, Texas
Disposable income for a single adult: $15,814
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$20,357
Median household income: $53,441
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $37,627
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $73,798
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 13.3%
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Disposable income for a single adult: $16,491
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$24,235
Median household income: $66,952
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $50,461
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $91,187
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 24.3%
Jefferson County, Alabama
Disposable income for a single adult: $18,482
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$22,036
Median household income: $61,996
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $43,514
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $84,032
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 13.9%
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Disposable income for a single adult: $18,543
Disposable income for a 2 adult, 1 child household: -$29,817
Median household income: $58,375
Cost of necessities for a single adult: $39,832
Cost of necessities for two working adults with one child: $88,192
Percentage of households where housing costs exceed 50% of income: 16.6%
This SmartAsset study considered 100 of the largest U.S. counties for which data was available. Median household income data comes from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps data for 2024. Data for the cost of necessities for a single adult, as well as two working adults with one child, comes from MIT Living Wage Calculator as of February 2024.
This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
