Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Auto Mechanic's pay go, state by state?
A Auto Mechanic's pay leaves the most room in Alaska — about $3,953/mo take-home against $1,361/mo typical rent — and the least in Hawaii.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $3,953/mo | $1,361/mo | 34% |
| North Dakota | $3,154/mo | $911/mo | 29% |
| District of Columbia | $4,091/mo | $1,900/mo | 46% |
| Wisconsin | $3,188/mo | $1,033/mo | 32% |
| Montana | $3,171/mo | $1,031/mo | 33% |
| South Dakota | $3,024/mo | $910/mo | 30% |
| Iowa | $3,036/mo | $932/mo | 31% |
| Washington | $3,741/mo | $1,641/mo | 44% |
| Nebraska | $3,093/mo | $1,017/mo | 33% |
| Michigan | $3,112/mo | $1,072/mo | 34% |
| Wyoming | $3,019/mo | $979/mo | 32% |
| California | $4,005/mo | $1,969/mo | 49% |
| Delaware | $3,343/mo | $1,321/mo | 40% |
| Maine | $3,126/mo | $1,104/mo | 35% |
| Indiana | $3,042/mo | $1,022/mo | 34% |
| Alabama | $2,950/mo | $967/mo | 33% |
| Minnesota | $3,204/mo | $1,230/mo | 38% |
| Kansas | $2,997/mo | $1,025/mo | 34% |
| Missouri | $2,954/mo | $997/mo | 34% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,114/mo | $1,176/mo | 38% |
| Louisiana | $2,952/mo | $1,028/mo | 35% |
| Illinois | $3,154/mo | $1,246/mo | 40% |
| Maryland | $3,587/mo | $1,683/mo | 47% |
| Ohio | $2,890/mo | $986/mo | 34% |
| Tennessee | $3,001/mo | $1,111/mo | 37% |
| North Carolina | $3,026/mo | $1,147/mo | 38% |
| Vermont | $3,062/mo | $1,207/mo | 39% |
| Idaho | $2,991/mo | $1,163/mo | 39% |
| New Mexico | $2,862/mo | $1,034/mo | 36% |
| New Hampshire | $3,250/mo | $1,424/mo | 44% |
| New Jersey | $3,463/mo | $1,656/mo | 48% |
| Oklahoma | $2,735/mo | $970/mo | 35% |
| Rhode Island | $3,052/mo | $1,289/mo | 42% |
| Oregon | $3,175/mo | $1,431/mo | 45% |
| South Carolina | $2,874/mo | $1,131/mo | 39% |
| Arizona | $3,144/mo | $1,419/mo | 45% |
| Arkansas | $2,619/mo | $903/mo | 34% |
| Connecticut | $3,199/mo | $1,483/mo | 46% |
| Texas | $3,042/mo | $1,328/mo | 44% |
| Georgia | $3,013/mo | $1,320/mo | 44% |
| Utah | $3,056/mo | $1,396/mo | 46% |
| Colorado | $3,311/mo | $1,659/mo | 50% |
| Virginia | $3,174/mo | $1,547/mo | 49% |
| West Virginia | $2,415/mo | $848/mo | 35% |
| Kentucky | $2,475/mo | $918/mo | 37% |
| Nevada | $3,022/mo | $1,478/mo | 49% |
| Massachusetts | $3,225/mo | $1,716/mo | 53% |
| New York | $3,111/mo | $1,621/mo | 52% |
| Mississippi | $2,399/mo | $933/mo | 39% |
| Florida | $2,976/mo | $1,542/mo | 52% |
| Hawaii | $3,231/mo | $1,927/mo | 60% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.