ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – The living wage increase for 2023 in Tompkins County is the highest in 30 years.

The new figure is $18.45 an hour. Researchers at Cornell used a new methodology that incorporates geographically specific spending data to come up with the new figure. The report estimates around 18,000 workers in the county earn less than a living wage. Local housing costs are the driving factor for the bump.

“The increase in the living wage is unprecedented in the three-decade history of local living wage calculations, and they reflect the recent increase in the cost of living locally, most importantly the cost of housing,” said Director of the ILR Ithaca Co-Lab, Ian Greer. “Living wage-certified employers have one year to adapt, and this will not be easy for some of them.”

The study also found racial and gender disparities in Tompkins County workers who earn less than the living wage. According to the report, 59% of black workers in the county earn less than a living wage compared to 35% of whites. Women earn less than a living wage at 41% compared to 34% of men.

The wage is calculated by a yearly basic-needs budget made up of nine categories: food, housing, transportation, communication, recreation, and health care. Those costs are then divided by 2,080 hours, the equivalent of a 40-hour work week over 52 weeks. More information is available.