Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Cargo and Freight Agent's pay go, state by state?
A Cargo and Freight Agent's pay leaves the most room in South Dakota — about $4,172/mo take-home against $910/mo typical rent — and the least in Hawaii.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $4,172/mo | $910/mo | 22% |
| Montana | $3,834/mo | $1,031/mo | 27% |
| Nebraska | $3,729/mo | $1,017/mo | 27% |
| Maine | $3,788/mo | $1,104/mo | 29% |
| Wisconsin | $3,340/mo | $1,033/mo | 31% |
| New Jersey | $3,894/mo | $1,656/mo | 43% |
| Oklahoma | $3,188/mo | $970/mo | 30% |
| Kansas | $3,203/mo | $1,025/mo | 32% |
| North Dakota | $3,073/mo | $911/mo | 30% |
| Rhode Island | $3,429/mo | $1,289/mo | 38% |
| Arkansas | $3,025/mo | $903/mo | 30% |
| Missouri | $3,115/mo | $997/mo | 32% |
| Michigan | $3,178/mo | $1,072/mo | 34% |
| Indiana | $3,121/mo | $1,022/mo | 33% |
| Kentucky | $2,965/mo | $918/mo | 31% |
| South Carolina | $3,177/mo | $1,131/mo | 36% |
| Idaho | $3,205/mo | $1,163/mo | 36% |
| Louisiana | $3,045/mo | $1,028/mo | 34% |
| Virginia | $3,544/mo | $1,547/mo | 44% |
| Georgia | $3,275/mo | $1,320/mo | 40% |
| Ohio | $2,939/mo | $986/mo | 34% |
| Iowa | $2,861/mo | $932/mo | 33% |
| Vermont | $3,127/mo | $1,207/mo | 39% |
| Minnesota | $3,114/mo | $1,230/mo | 39% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,027/mo | $1,176/mo | 39% |
| Alabama | $2,801/mo | $967/mo | 35% |
| New Hampshire | $3,250/mo | $1,424/mo | 44% |
| New York | $3,409/mo | $1,621/mo | 48% |
| Alaska | $3,143/mo | $1,361/mo | 43% |
| North Carolina | $2,928/mo | $1,147/mo | 39% |
| Illinois | $3,011/mo | $1,246/mo | 41% |
| Tennessee | $2,872/mo | $1,111/mo | 39% |
| Washington | $3,375/mo | $1,641/mo | 49% |
| Florida | $3,232/mo | $1,542/mo | 48% |
| Mississippi | $2,607/mo | $933/mo | 36% |
| New Mexico | $2,662/mo | $1,034/mo | 39% |
| Texas | $2,923/mo | $1,328/mo | 45% |
| Utah | $2,967/mo | $1,396/mo | 47% |
| Oregon | $2,984/mo | $1,431/mo | 48% |
| Massachusetts | $3,252/mo | $1,716/mo | 53% |
| Maryland | $3,182/mo | $1,683/mo | 53% |
| Colorado | $3,110/mo | $1,659/mo | 53% |
| California | $3,344/mo | $1,969/mo | 59% |
| Arizona | $2,638/mo | $1,419/mo | 54% |
| Nevada | $2,437/mo | $1,478/mo | 61% |
| Hawaii | $2,449/mo | $1,927/mo | 79% |
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.