WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- A new report confirms what many families in Whatcom County and throughout Washington already know - it's getting more costly to meet basic needs such as housing, food and child care.
The University of Washington report measures "self-sufficiency standards" for Whatcom and the 38 other counties in the state.
Researchers calculated average incomes and costs of basic needs such as housing, food, child care, health care, transportation and taxes.
Variables such as age of children were also included.
Lead researcher Diana Pearce said that costs continue to rise even as wages remain stagnated.
The study shows a family of one adult and two children in Whatcom County needs an annual income of more than $42,000 dollars.
A family would need more than $50,000 in Seattle, according to the study.
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