The American Dream relies on the idea that anyone in the U.S. has the opportunity to become prosperous and climb the social ladder if they just work hard enough.But is that true for all working people?

This week we’re taking a look at the cost of a baby vs. the cost of a puppy in the first year in Michigan.

The Economic Policy Institute has calculated how much families need to have "an adequate but modest" standard of living based on the cost of housing, food, transportation, health care, child care, taxes and other necessities in more than 600 cities around the country. Take a look at what a family of two parents and two children would need in 20 different large metro areas to meet this standard. Hide Caption