Worst places in America for you to be left widowed and California dominates the list
The Golden State comes with a brutal price tag, even after “till death do us part.”Three California cities landed among the 10 most financially punishing places to lose a spouse, according to an Ethos study examining how household budgets could buckle when two incomes become one. Irvine claimed the grim No.1 spot for both surviving spouses living alone and widowed parents raising one child.
Fresno and Los Angeles also cracked the top 10 in both categories.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.
Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Never miss a story The life insurance technology company compared 100 US metro and housing-market areas, weighing living expenses, potential income losses, mortgage burdens, funeral bills and estimated first-year costs.For families in Irvine, the numbers paint a stomach-churning picture. A surviving parent raising one child would face roughly $174 in basic expenses for every $100 of typical one-earner family income, leaving a financial hole before any extras enter the picture.Even without a child, estimated necessities would swallow about $115 for every $100 coming in.Separate Redfin figures show just how steep the everyday bills already are.Irvine’s cost of living runs 65% above the national average with a median home price of roughly $1.46 million, according to the real estate company’s city guide.Redfin puts housing costs at 270% above the national average, while groceries cost about 10% more — a punishing backdrop for anyone suddenly facing the bills alone. Ethos estimates the first-year tab in Irvine at $134,329 for a surviving parent with one child and $91,477 for an adult living alone.Both totals combine a year of basic expenses with a funeral and burial.The living expenses include housing, food, transportation, healthcare, taxes and other essentials.And another California c...