Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Buyers and Purchasing Agent's pay go, state by state?
A Buyers and Purchasing Agent's pay leaves the most room in District of Columbia — about $7,342/mo take-home against $1,900/mo typical rent — and the least in Hawaii.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $7,342/mo | $1,900/mo | 26% |
| New Jersey | $5,836/mo | $1,656/mo | 28% |
| Delaware | $5,184/mo | $1,321/mo | 25% |
| West Virginia | $4,678/mo | $848/mo | 18% |
| Rhode Island | $5,042/mo | $1,289/mo | 26% |
| Virginia | $5,300/mo | $1,547/mo | 29% |
| Arkansas | $4,618/mo | $903/mo | 20% |
| Minnesota | $4,923/mo | $1,230/mo | 25% |
| Michigan | $4,718/mo | $1,072/mo | 23% |
| Maryland | $5,316/mo | $1,683/mo | 32% |
| South Dakota | $4,522/mo | $910/mo | 20% |
| Connecticut | $5,086/mo | $1,483/mo | 29% |
| Illinois | $4,805/mo | $1,246/mo | 26% |
| Alaska | $4,919/mo | $1,361/mo | 28% |
| Washington | $5,158/mo | $1,641/mo | 32% |
| Maine | $4,577/mo | $1,104/mo | 24% |
| Nebraska | $4,483/mo | $1,017/mo | 23% |
| Wyoming | $4,408/mo | $979/mo | 22% |
| Iowa | $4,274/mo | $932/mo | 22% |
| New York | $4,951/mo | $1,621/mo | 33% |
| Ohio | $4,297/mo | $986/mo | 23% |
| South Carolina | $4,427/mo | $1,131/mo | 26% |
| Alabama | $4,261/mo | $967/mo | 23% |
| Colorado | $4,952/mo | $1,659/mo | 34% |
| Massachusetts | $4,993/mo | $1,716/mo | 34% |
| North Dakota | $4,111/mo | $911/mo | 22% |
| Kentucky | $4,107/mo | $918/mo | 22% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,358/mo | $1,176/mo | 27% |
| Utah | $4,570/mo | $1,396/mo | 31% |
| Wisconsin | $4,206/mo | $1,033/mo | 25% |
| Missouri | $4,104/mo | $997/mo | 24% |
| Kansas | $4,119/mo | $1,025/mo | 25% |
| New Mexico | $4,126/mo | $1,034/mo | 25% |
| Indiana | $4,110/mo | $1,022/mo | 25% |
| California | $5,052/mo | $1,969/mo | 39% |
| Texas | $4,394/mo | $1,328/mo | 30% |
| New Hampshire | $4,457/mo | $1,424/mo | 32% |
| Oklahoma | $4,001/mo | $970/mo | 24% |
| North Carolina | $4,167/mo | $1,147/mo | 28% |
| Arizona | $4,414/mo | $1,419/mo | 32% |
| Georgia | $4,310/mo | $1,320/mo | 31% |
| Louisiana | $3,987/mo | $1,028/mo | 26% |
| Mississippi | $3,871/mo | $933/mo | 24% |
| Oregon | $4,290/mo | $1,431/mo | 33% |
| Tennessee | $3,949/mo | $1,111/mo | 28% |
| Florida | $4,289/mo | $1,542/mo | 36% |
| Idaho | $3,852/mo | $1,163/mo | 30% |
| Nevada | $4,137/mo | $1,478/mo | 36% |
| Vermont | $3,816/mo | $1,207/mo | 32% |
| Montana | $3,540/mo | $1,031/mo | 29% |
| Hawaii | $4,375/mo | $1,927/mo | 44% |
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.