A living wage is the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs, including housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and childcare without relying on government assistance or taking on debt. Unlike the federal minimum wage, which is set by law, the living wage varies significantly by geographic location and household size. Organizations like MIT's Living Wage Calculator provide estimates by county and family type. The gap between the legal minimum wage and the actual living wage in many U.S. cities is a central issue in discussions about economic inequality and worker financial wellbeing.