Study: Illinois, Washington and Texas are best states to make a living

[^_^ 5,021]

While the economy is generally in bad shape, some states have been particularly hard hit. If you're considering relocating, you want to make sure you don't simply trade one bad set of employment conditions for another. Also, what about other factors that will affect your standard of living, such as income levels, cost of living, and state tax rates?

MoneyRates.com has done a comprehensive analysis that takes into account the following factors that affect your ability to make a living:

• Average state wages
  
• State unemployment rate
  
• State tax rate
  
• State cost of living
  

Based on these factors, MoneyRates.com calculated an adjusted-average income for each state and ranked states against each other.

http://www.money-rates.com/news/10-best-states-for-making-a-living.htm

Edited April 14, 2011 by \

[Ban Hammer 14,300]

once again, kansas beats missouri. and jersey.

[^_^ 5,021]

once again, kansas beats missouri. and jersey.

I love how Cali and Vermont are snuggled together towards the bottom. I should have posted this on P&R, could have been fun.

[Ban Hammer 14,300]

I love how Cali and Vermont are snuggled together towards the bottom. I should have posted this on P&R, could have been fun.

it must be love!

[JohnSmith2007 353]

I love how Cali and Vermont are snuggled together towards the bottom. I should have posted this on P&R, could have been fun.

Lets start arguing politics and get Darnell to move it.

The reason Cali is on the bottom is because of the high taxes and the pin head liberals.

Your turn.

[TBoneTX 47,580]

The Illinois numbers are probably inflated due to the rampant corruption -- the politicians' income skews the figgers, si man. And don't let Gary see that Vermont is near the bottom, no man!

[^_^ 5,021]

Lets start arguing politics and get Darnell to move it.

The reason Cali is on the bottom is because of the high taxes and the pin head liberals.

Your turn.

Vermont is tough to stereotype. Bunch of gun nut liberals. So confusing. Someone should tell them to fit into the national narrative already.

The Illinois numbers are probably inflated due to the rampant corruption -- the politicians' income skews the figgers, si man.

Actually, the Chicago burbs are an excellent place to make a living. Near-NYC level salaries at a fraction of the cost.

[Jenn! 918]

I'm surprised to see MA so far up on the list. I feel like housing costs here aren't fully reflected in salaries.

[^_^ 5,021]

I'm surprised to see MA so far up on the list. I feel like housing costs here aren't fully reflected in salaries.

From http://www.money-rates.com/news/10-best-states-for-making-a-living.htm :

The high cost of living in Massachusetts is counterbalanced by the highest average wage levels of any state.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

[^_^ 5,021]

?

[Zero Sum 305]

Lets start arguing politics and get Darnell to move it.

The reason Cali is on the bottom is because of the high taxes and the pin head liberals.

Your turn.

Living in Chicago I can pretty much only complain about the parking, city stickers, and the occasional hit on the bank account from Urkel's (Now-gone Cook Cty President Stroger) sales tax addition to the IL rate, but adding things up I make about the same now, dollar for dollar compared to a much lower tax-rate state with a tendency to elect GOP politicians more than Democrats and am able to save cash quite nicely without living in the ghetto. I must be corrupt.

[Jenn! 918]

?

You sure showed me!

I would doubt if housing costs were entirely offset by wages. Median home sales price in MA, for example, is like 5 times that of KS. I would earn more than 1/5 of my salary if I worked in KS, presumably. I have to assume they've done theire math right and I guess it boils down to the fact that the distribution of the types of jobs available is so different by state.

Edited April 14, 2011 by Jenn!

[^_^ 5,021]

You sure showed me!

That was directed at Paul.

[Jenn! 918]

That was directed at Paul.

I know, that was my interpretation of his