Take 5: living wages, language learning and school cellphone bans

NH Business Review's biweekly snapshot of business and industry statistics

A new MyPerfectResume report finds that the median-waged worker cannot afford a stable, middle-class lifestyle in any of America’s 50 largest metropolitan areas. Across the metros analyzed, a single adult needs an estimated average salary of $104,681 to cover basic expenses, savings and modest discretionary spending. The average median wage is just $52,460, leaving the typical worker $52,221 short each year.

BADCREDIT.ORG recently ranked all 50 states and D.C. on where residents are best positioned to save for a down payment on a new home, and New Hampshire ranked the highest of any New England state at No. 4. The study shows that New Hampshire incomes are strong enough to keep the home price-to-income ratio at 4.06, well below Massachusetts, at 5.41.

FOUR in 10 Americans say it is extremely or very important for children growing up in the U.S. to learn a language other than English, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. More than four in 10 K-12 public schools (43%) offer world language classes, according to a 2024 poll by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which includes 20% of elementary schools and 82% of high schools.

ABOUT three-quarters of U.S. adults (77%) support in-class cellphone bans for middle and high school students. This finding marks the second consecutive year of rising support for the policy, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted May 26 to June 1, 2026. Just 18% say they oppose such a ban, while 6% are unsure. In a 2025 survey by the Center, majorities of U.S. adults said all-day bans would improve students’ grades, social skills and class behavior.

IN a recent report from WalletHub, all 50 states were ranked to find the best states to live in, based on factors such as housing affordability, income growth, educational attainment and hospital quality. New Hampshire ranked high at No. 5, just below neighboring Massachusetts, at No. 4. The Granite State was also found to be the state with the lowest percentage of people living in poverty and the lowest crime rate.