The Basic Salary That Yakima Families Need to Make Ends Meet

How much money do you need to make to survive in Yakima?

The answer may shock you. I know it at least shocks ME!

Years ago, I decided to "live below my means" so that I could afford to have money for a more fun-filled life. I don't want to spend the entirety of my prime adulthood years struggling to survive. I like being able to afford recreation activities, driving a nicer car that doesn't break down all the time, and being able to buy my kid things that my parents never would have been able to afford.

I have been a single parent for the past 13 years and it has been a financial struggle because I don't have a college degree. I make do with what I have though, and by some miracle, my landlords have let me keep my monthly rent under $600 for the past twenty years.

I've constantly been on the hunt to upgrade to a 2-bedroom place so that I can have my own bedroom, but when I compare the costs for rent for homes and apartments, I'm seeing monthly rent for $900+.

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THE AVERAGE RENT IN YAKIMA FOR A 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT: $1,111

THE AVERAGE RENT FOR A 2 BEDROOM HOME IN YAKIMA: $1,150

It would put a huge strain on my small family's quality of life if I moved out of our affordable (albeit tiny) apartment for the sake of having a bigger living space. The way I see it, we are both lucky to have a roof over our head, and I don't have to work two or three jobs to make ends meet. That sounds like a win-win to me!

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What is the average salary needed to survive in Yakima?

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According to Utility.com, the average cost for utilities is $332.83 a month. Living Wage Calculator shows that a single person with no children would need to make at least $21.06 an hour to have their basic needs met.

A single parent like me with one child would need to make at least $35.75 an hour. Yikes.

You would need to make at least $43,805 a year to survive as a single person in Yakima, and if you have at least one child, you will need to make at least $74,360 a year.