what is the difference between a living wage and a minimum wage 
a minimum wage is the least amount a worker can be paid hourly as determined by law paying an individual below the minimum wage is illegal a living wage is the amount an individual or family would have to earn to avoid living in poverty this amount is usually higher than the minimum wage and it s not mandated by law the bottom linea living wage is a hypothetical level of income that s meant to show how much money is necessary for people to afford things like food and shelter this number depends on certain economic factors including inflation and the cost of living in an individual s area there s no concrete number because it can vary based on who s calculating it the consensus is that it should be enough to help keep people out of poverty however 