The cost of basic household necessities continues to rise faster than wages, leaving many working families unable to afford essentials, according to new data from United For ALICE, a report compiled in partnership with United Way of Collier and the Keys.
The report focuses on ALICE households – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – which earn above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford the basic cost of living in their communities.
The latest State of ALICE in Florida report introduces the ALICE Essentials Index, which tracks the cost of six basic necessities: housing, child care, food, transportation, health care and technology. The data shows these essential costs have risen significantly over time, outpacing broader inflation and straining household budgets.
In Monroe County, the data reveals that 44% of households lived below the ALICE Threshold in 2024, including 34% that were classified as ALICE and 10% that were living below those levels in defined poverty.
The gap between wages and expenses remains significant. In 2024, a family of four in Monroe County needed $108,948 to cover a basic household survival budget – more than three times the federal poverty level of $31,200. Even with both parents working full-time in two of Florida’s most common occupations – a cook and a bank teller – the family still fell $37,474 short of meeting basic needs.
Key findings
The state report says Florida ranked 47th among all states and the District of Columbia for financial hardship, with one of the highest shares of households struggling to make ends meet. (A ranking of 1 represents the lowest hardship rate.)
ALICE households are found across all industries, with the highest hardship rates in agriculture and natural resources (46%), hospitality and food services (45%), and administrative support and facility services (43%).
Despite Florida’s minimum wage rising to $13 per hour in 2024, a full-time worker with one school-age child still could not afford the ALICE household survival budget in any county in Florida.
United Way responds
Supporting ALICE families is central to United Way of Collier and the Keys’ mission. The organization helps families move toward financial security through programs such as free tax preparation services and strategic investment in local nonprofits that provide food assistance, housing support, financial education and workforce development.
“These findings reflect the reality many families in our community are facing every day,” said Tiffani Mensch, president and CEO of United Way of Collier and the Keys. “We use this data to guide our work with partners so we can meet immediate needs while building longer-term pathways to stability.”
More information is at unitedforalice.org/florida and at uwcollierkeys.org.
