How Far a $15 Minimum Wage Goes in 6 US Cities

Los Angeles to raise its rate from $9 to $15 an hour.

How You Livin'? - LOS ANGELES (AP) — The minimum wage in Los Angeles could increase to $15 an hour by 2020 under a plan given initial approval by the City Council.That's a 67 percent increase from the current minimum wage of $9 and would amount to annual pay of about $31,200.Here's a look at how far that money could go in six cities, given living expenses.Figures are based on annual costs for one adult unless otherwise specified and were calculated by the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Poverty levels are according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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How You Livin'? - LOS ANGELES (AP) — The minimum wage in Los Angeles could increase to $15 an hour by 2020 under a plan given initial approval by the City Council.That's a 67 percent increase from the current minimum wage of $9 and would amount to annual pay of about $31,200.Here's a look at how far that money could go in six cities, given living expenses.Figures are based on annual costs for one adult unless otherwise specified and were calculated by the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Poverty levels are according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Los Angeles - HOUSING: $11,445FOOD: $3,530TRANSPORTATION: $3,727CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $10,073PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 22 percent(Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

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Los Angeles - HOUSING: $11,445FOOD: $3,530TRANSPORTATION: $3,727CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $10,073PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 22 percent(Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

New York City - HOUSING: $13,956FOOD: $3,435TRANSPORTATION: $3,542CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $20,861PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 20 percent(Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

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New York City - HOUSING: $13,956FOOD: $3,435TRANSPORTATION: $3,542CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $20,861PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 20 percent(Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

Seattle - HOUSING: $8,861FOOD: $3,530TRANSPORTATION: $3,727CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $12,322PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 14 percent(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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Seattle - HOUSING: $8,861FOOD: $3,530TRANSPORTATION: $3,727CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $12,322PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 14 percent(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Lincoln, Nebraska - HOUSING: $4,992FOOD: $3,021TRANSPORTATION: $4,189CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $9,868PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 17 percent (Photo: Eric Francis/Getty Images)

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Lincoln, Nebraska - HOUSING: $4,992FOOD: $3,021TRANSPORTATION: $4,189CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $9,868PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 17 percent (Photo: Eric Francis/Getty Images)

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Memphis, Tennessee - HOUSING: $6,912FOOD: $2,958TRANSPORTATION: $4,497CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $6,647PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 27 percent(Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Memphis, Tennessee - HOUSING: $6,912FOOD: $2,958TRANSPORTATION: $4,497CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $6,647PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 27 percent(Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Raleigh, North Carolina - HOUSING: $7,416FOOD: $2,958TRANSPORTATION: $4,497CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $10,635PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 16 percent(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Raleigh, North Carolina - HOUSING: $7,416FOOD: $2,958TRANSPORTATION: $4,497CHILD CARE (two adults, two children): $10,635PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL: 16 percent(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)