Is $1500 a month enough to live on?

Asked by: Triston Schulist  |  Last update: October 23, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (39 votes)

According to a study conducted by GoBankingRates, 25% of respondents say they plan to live on just $1500 per month. While this may sound challenging as this amount is close to the poverty level for a family of two, it does not include housing costs.

Is it possible to live off $1500 a month?

A couple can live comfortably for under $1,500 per month, including rent, utilities, dining out and incidental expenses.

Is $1500 a month good money?

$1500 per month is a very reasonable amount to save at $75k. While the amount you save is important how you save it can make all of the difference. Since I started working after college I've tried to maximize my savings first in a traditional savings account to build up some cash for safety and major purchase.

How much money does the average person live on per month?

A single person household spends an average of $4,641 on monthly expenses. Married couples without kids spend an average of $7,390 on monthly expenses. A family of four spends an average of $8,450–9,817 on monthly expenses (depending on kids' ages).

Is $1500 a month too much for rent?

Yes you can afford it. Rule of thumb is gross income (pre tax) of 3x rent. That would put your budget at about $1600.

Could You Live on JUST $1500 a Month? - What Professionals Would Do

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What salary do I need to afford $1500 rent?

How much should I make to Afford $1500 Rent? Let's say you've got your eye on a cool place that costs $1,500 a month. You want to stick to the 30% rule, so let's do the math: $1,500 / 0.30 = $5,000. That's your target monthly income.

Is $1500 good for an apartment?

California reigns as top state for small cities where $1,500 stretches the least. This year, California cities stood out on both of our lists of big and small cities where a monthly rent budget of $1,500 doesn't go far.

What is a good monthly income for a single person?

A good monthly income in California is $5,002, based on what the Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Californians pay for their cost of living. A good monthly income for you will depend on what your expenses are and how much you typically spend per month.

What is a reasonable monthly budget?

NerdWallet advocates the 50/30/20 budget. With this formula, you aim to devote 50% of your take-home pay to needs like rent and insurance, 30% to wants like vacations and entertainment, and 20% to debt repayment and savings.

Can a person live on $1,000 dollars a month?

Making your budget work when you have $1,000 in monthly income is possible, though it might take some serious work. Drastically reducing expenses can be a great place to start, and bringing in more income can of course help, too. Changing banks is one more money-saving tip to know.

Where can I live on $1400 a month?

13 Places Where You Can Live on as Little as $1,500 a Month
  • Penang, Malaysia.
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • Kuching, Malaysia.
  • Hoi An, Vietnam.
  • Querétaro, Mexico.
  • Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
  • Cozumel, Mexico.

How much is $1500 a month hourly?

$1,500 monthly is how much per hour? If you make $1,500 per month, your hourly salary would be $8.65. This result is obtained by multiplying your base salary by the amount of hours, week, and months you work in a year, assuming you work 40 hours a week.

Can you live on $2000 a month?

Retiring on $2,000 per month is very possible,” said Gary Knode, president at Safe Harbor Financial. “In my practice, I've seen it work. The key is reducing expenses and eliminating any market risk that could impact your savings if there were a major market downturn.

Is $1500 a month okay?

It depends on lifestyle and personal preferences. However, to be comfortable you can expect to spend £1,500-£2,000 per month of your net income.

Where can I live on $1,700 a month?

Medellín, Colombia

Couples can live there for less than $1,700 per month, enjoying the springlike climate, outdoor recreation and vibrant culture. Colombia provides the amenities and infrastructure of a high-cost-of-living country at a low cost.

How much money a month do I need to live?

While this figure can vary based on factors such as location, family size, and lifestyle preferences, a common range for a good monthly salary is between $6,000 and $8,333 for individuals.

How much does a normal person spend a month?

Here, you'll get a sense of how much an average person might spend per month so you can consider how your own budget looks. The average monthly expenses for one person can vary, but the average single person spends about $3,405 per month.

What is the 50 20 30 rule?

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.

What is the average American cost of living?

Monthly expenses list. According to the same 2022 BLS study, the average American's monthly expenses are $6,080, 1 which is about 77% of the average monthly income before taxes. This list of expenses covers everything from housing, health insurance and food to entertainment, personal care products and books.

Is $40 an hour good?

As of Jan 6, 2025, the average hourly pay for a 40 Dollars An Hour in California is $23.82 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $49.20 and as low as $10.36, the majority of 40 Dollars An Hour salaries currently range between $15.54 (25th percentile) to $29.19 (75th percentile) in California.

What salary is considered middle class?

In 2022, the national middle-income range was about $56,600 to $169,800 annually for a household of three. Lower-income households had incomes less than $56,600, and upper-income households had incomes greater than $169,800. (Incomes are calculated in 2022 dollars.)

How much salary to afford $1500 rent?

According to this rule, multiply gross monthly income by 0.30 to find the maximum affordable rent. For example, if gross monthly income is $5,000, maximum rent would be $1,500 (5,000 x 0.30 = 1,500).

Is $1500 rent too much?

According to the 30% rule, a person earning $5,000 gross per month could reasonably afford to spend $1,500 per month on rent. However, it's important to remember that this is only a guideline.

What income do most apartments require?

Many landlords require a gross monthly income of at least three times the rent. Understand all upfront costs, including application fees, security deposits, first and last month's rent, moving expenses, and utility setup fees.