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I'm in NJ too. We are a family of 5. 100k per family pre tax is average here for income. You can just get by on that. Rents are very high, groceries are through the roof and gas, don't get me started, even though here is one of the lowest on the east coast.
Health insurance is a necessity and eats a lot if income as well.
I'd say 100k per family is on the very low end of middle class here.
People in Alabama and all the other southern states think we are all rich though.
It takes $200k today to have the lifestyle of someone who made 50k less than 10 years ago. Bottom line is that everyone is a LOT poorer than they used to be. Now with QE3 having just been announced by Ben Bernanke watch even WORSE inflation at the grocery store start to manifest.
holy smokes , i didnt realise police and teachers earned so much over there
The entire NYC metro has inflated costs and wages. I know a local government laborer in the Ridgewood area who makes $70K plus benefits and the only reason he can afford to live in town is because he lives in the house his grandfather built.
I find that in NJ if you need someone to repair or upgrade something it will cost an arm and leg.. in Florida more reasonable to have something repaired or upgraded.
People in Alabama and all the other southern states think we are all rich though.
I know!!
My husband's family lives in WV and you can buy a house for the price of a new car, but no jobs and the cost of necessities (food, heat, lights, etc.) are much more.
There is such poverty there and the people just don't seem to care. Most from his area are happy living on assistance. It's very depressing.
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