Life is expensive for most of us right now, but having kids can really push the cost up. In fact, according to new research, families in more than half of the country's states must make at least six figures to get by comfortably.

Using data from the 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey and Bureau of Labor Statistics, GOBankingRates calculated the yearly living expenses of a family of four in each US state.

Supporting a family requires an income of more than $150,000 in four states: Hawaii ($259,000), Massachusetts ($200,000), California ($188,000) and New York ($155,000).

There are 26 states — including Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin and North Carolina — where families of four must earn above $100,000 to be financially secure.

According to the study, there are no US states where two adults and two children can live on less than $82,000 annually — but raising a family is most affordable in West Virginia ($82,338), followed by Mississippi ($87,564) and Alabama ($87,607).

Via GOBankingRates.

[Image credit: Emma Bauso]