Hundreds of thousands of families in Miami-Dade were unable to make ends meet, according to the latest data available from United Way.
In Miami-Dade County, 155,328 households are considered to be in poverty, up from 145,803 in 2023, according to the 2026 Florida ALICE State Report, which analyzed 2024 data. Additionally, 408,619 households met ALICE requirements, up from 381,666 households the previous year. This acronym stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed.” ” This refers to “households with incomes above the federal poverty level but below the county’s basic cost of living.”
41% of Miami-Dade County households were ALICE households, compared to the state average of 34%. Fifteen percent lived in poverty, compared to the state average of 12%.
Within counties, there were also significant differences between ZIP codes. For example, the percentage of households below the ALICE threshold (including ALICE households and households in poverty) ranged from 83% in both ZIP code 33142, which serves part of Brownsville, and ZIP code 33128, which serves part of Downton, to 15% in ZIP code 33158, which serves part of Deering Bay.
Household “survival budget” gives Miami-Dade County residents some breathing room
United Way’s household survival budgets “reflect the minimum costs of living and working in today’s economy and include housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes.” This does not include emergency savings or funds for college or retirement. In 2024, “household costs in every county in Florida were well above the federal poverty level.” That’s $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four.
In Miami-Dade County in 2024, housing costs per adult are $1,892 per month, food costs $549, transportation costs $424, and health care costs $189, and this is not an exhaustive list of necessities. After factoring in additional expenses, the total comes to $3,982 per month. The hourly wage for each adult was $23.89, according to United Way’s Household Survival Budget for the area. For multiple adults with children, housekeeping costs, food costs, transportation costs all increase, and childcare costs are added as well.
For complete charts and breakdowns, visit United Way’s Miami-Dade County data page.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect reporter on USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive all of Florida’s best content straight to your inbox every weekday. florida today.
