What is poor in Philadelphia?

A front-page story in this week's Philadelphia Inquirer by Alfred Lubrano references a study by University of Washington that establishes a benchmark income level needed for a family of four to survive. According to the study, Philadelphia families beed $59,501 to scrape by. And of course, according to Lubrano, nearly 62 percent of Philadelphia households take in less than $50,000.

In Montco, the minimum is $71,393.

One interesting omission from the study's findings is that student loan costs are not factored in. I'm sure student loan payments might add another $10,000 a year (ballpark) if you assume college educations are necessary for a household to earn at least $60,000.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100520_Study__To_survive__family_of_four_needs_nearly__60_000.html#axzz0oTe7e7xt