Rent:$997.68
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/average-rent-by-state
Food:$273.00
https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-food-plans-cost-food-reports-monthly-reports
Electricity:$116
https://financeguru.com/news/average-electric-bill/
Reuters Insurance:$15
https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/home-and-property/renters/cost-factors
Car:$563
https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/how-much-does-a-car-cost/
Car Insurance:$73
https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/how-much-does-a-car-cost/
Fuel:$160
https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/how-much-does-a-car-cost/
Car Maintenance:$199
https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/how-much-does-a-car-cost/
Health Insurance:$541
https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-of-health-insurance
Dental Insurance:$50
https://www.moneyunder30.com/is-dental-insurance-worth-it
Life insurance: $147
https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-life-insurance
Total:$3238 a month, or $38,856 a year.
Average wage:$29.81
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/average-hourly-wage-in-us
Total Compensation after taxes in Colorado: $46,722
https://smartasset.com/taxes/colorado-paycheck-calculator#OR1ez5gIYH
Leaving $7,866 a year on average. Except the average includes billionaires and millionaires in the equation. 42.4% of Americans make less than $15.00 an hour.
https://slate.com/business/2016/03/how-many-workers-earn-less-than-15-per-hour.html
So, the reality of most people is this.
$15 an hour is $24,752 a year, -14,104 below the average cost to just live, we aren't earning enough, companies aren't paying enough.