TUCSON – Move.org has compiled a list of popular American cities and ranked them based on how easily someone earning minimum wage could live there.

The study took into account how many hours per month a minimum wage earner would have to work to cover rent for a one bedroom apartment and utilities.

It doesn’t account for food and entertainment.

Tucson came in at #5.

According to Move.org, two things make Tucson a great college town: the University of Arizona and the state’s minimum wage of $11.00 per hour.

The average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment in Tucson is $703 and the average utility cost is about $372.

An employee earning $11.00 per hour would need to work 98 hours per month to cover that cost.

Phoenix came in #7 on this list. Rent is actually about $150 more per month in Phoenix, but utilities are about the same amount cheaper. So a person earning minimum wage in Phoenix would have to work 98 hours per month to make ends meet.

Mesa has a slightly higher cost of living but still came in at #9.

Average monthly rent in Mesa is $874 with utilities coming in at just under $225 per month.

So to cover a one bedroom apartment and utilities in Mesa, you’d only need to work 100 hours per month.

For a look at the complete list: https://www.move.org/least-livable-us-cities-for-minimum-wage-earners/