Real Cost Measure

United Ways of California, in partnership with California’s 29 local United Ways, is proud to release How Much it Costs to Struggle: The Real Cost Measure in California 2023, our new study on what it takes to make ends meet in California.

Unlike the official poverty measure which primarily accounts for the cost of food, the Real Cost Measure factors the costs of housing, food, health care, child care, transportation and other basic needs to reveal what it really costs to live in California. The Real Cost Measure Dashboard is intended to visualize the data and catch a glimpse of the families struggling within Merced County.

Over One in Three Households—Over 3.7 Million (34%)—Do Not Earn Sufficient Income to Meet Basic Needs in California.