What Are Basic Needs?
Your basic needs, or living wage, is calculated based on the area you live in and several common factors.
Basic needs = 
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Basic needs budget = Food cost + childcare cost + (insurance premiums + out of pocket health care costs)
+ housing cost + transportation cost + other necessities cost + civic engagement + broadband
Hourly pay is based on the salary each working adult must earn to support the basic needs of their family.
As of 2024, a single adult living in Dallas Countywill need to earn $22.06per hour to support their basic needs.
A single adult with one childwill need to earn $36.79per hour to support the basic needs of their family.
Two working adults with one childwill each need to earn $20.44an hour to support the basic needs of their family.
To see how your needs compare with others, review the list below to find the minimum hourly salary needed for each family.
One Adult in Household
$22.06
1 Adult
$36.79
1 Adult, 1 Child
$45.35
1 Adult, 2 Children
$58.63
1 Adult, 3 Children
Two Adults in Household
(Only One Working)
$29.83
2 Adults
$35.29
2 Adults, 1 Child
$39.33
2 Adults, 2 Children
$42.09
2 Adults, 3 Children
Two Adults in Household
(Both Working)
$14.91
2 Adults
$20.44
2 Adults, 1 Child
$25.00
2 Adults, 2 Children
$28.89
2 Adults, 3 Children
