Most Americans don't earn enough to afford costs of living, study finds
Most Americans don't earn enough to afford costs of living, study finds

The bottom 60% of U.S. households don’t make enough money to afford a “minimal quality of life,” according to a new analysis.
Read the full article on CBS Money
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's central claim that a significant portion of Americans don't earn enough to afford the cost of living is supported by multiple sources. However, the specific percentage (60%) cited in the article snippet is not directly verifiable from the provided sources, although related claims about affordability issues are present. The article exhibits a moderate bias by focusing on the negative aspects of the economy and potentially oversimplifying the complexities of income and cost of living.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** The bottom 60% of U.S. households don't make enough money to afford a "minimal quality of life."
- Verification Source #1: Supports the general idea that many families don't earn enough to afford basic needs.
- Verification Source #2: Supports the idea that a significant percentage of working families (in NYC) don't make enough to afford basics.
- Verification Source #3: Supports the idea that many workers don't earn enough to afford rent.
- Verification Source #5: Supports the idea that housing is unaffordable for a record half of all U.S. renters.
- The specific figure of "60%" is *not directly covered* by the provided sources. While the sources confirm affordability issues, they don't all quantify it in the same way.
- Internal Knowledge: While I cannot verify the exact 60% figure without the original study, the general trend of rising costs of living outpacing wage growth is a widely discussed economic issue.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Verification Source #1: "Study shows 1 in 3 California families earn below daily cost of living." This supports the general claim of affordability issues.
- Verification Source #2: "Forty Percent of NYC's Working Families Don't Make Enough to Afford Basics." This supports the claim, but focuses on NYC.
- Verification Source #3: "Workers simply don't earn enough money to keep up with skyrocketing rental rates across the country." This supports the claim, specifically regarding rent.
- Verification Source #5: "Housing is unaffordable for a record half of all U.S. renters." This supports the claim, specifically regarding housing.
- The lack of direct verification for the "60%" figure is a limitation. The article may be drawing from a specific study not fully represented in the provided snippets.