The True Cost of the American Dream in Every State

Money / Economy May 17, 2024 Written by Sean Dennison Commitment to Our ReadersGOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.20 YearsHelping You Live RicherReviewed by ExpertsTrusted by Millions of ReadersDo you think you can afford the American dream in 2024? Especially with the ever-rising cost of living? To determine the true cost of the American dream, GOBankingRates began by defining it as a married couple with two children, owning a home for four along with a car and a pet. From there, each state was analyzed with criteria that included annual grocery costs, pet care costs (based on the average annual cost of a dog and cat), an annual mortgage with a 20% down payment, annual healthcare costs, utilitie...