Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Chief Executive's pay go, state by state?
A Chief Executive's pay leaves the most room in South Dakota — about $15,548/mo take-home against $910/mo typical rent — and the least in Maine.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $15,548/mo | $910/mo | 6% |
| Michigan | $15,548/mo | $1,072/mo | 7% |
| North Carolina | $15,548/mo | $1,147/mo | 7% |
| Illinois | $15,548/mo | $1,246/mo | 8% |
| Rhode Island | $15,548/mo | $1,289/mo | 8% |
| Texas | $15,548/mo | $1,328/mo | 9% |
| Oregon | $15,548/mo | $1,431/mo | 9% |
| Nevada | $15,548/mo | $1,478/mo | 10% |
| Connecticut | $15,548/mo | $1,483/mo | 10% |
| Virginia | $15,548/mo | $1,547/mo | 10% |
| Washington | $15,548/mo | $1,641/mo | 11% |
| New Jersey | $15,548/mo | $1,656/mo | 11% |
| Maryland | $15,548/mo | $1,683/mo | 11% |
| California | $15,020/mo | $1,969/mo | 13% |
| Idaho | $14,184/mo | $1,163/mo | 8% |
| Hawaii | $14,554/mo | $1,927/mo | 13% |
| Georgia | $13,816/mo | $1,320/mo | 10% |
| Indiana | $13,495/mo | $1,022/mo | 8% |
| Wisconsin | $13,443/mo | $1,033/mo | 8% |
| New York | $13,842/mo | $1,621/mo | 12% |
| Pennsylvania | $13,036/mo | $1,176/mo | 9% |
| Nebraska | $12,615/mo | $1,017/mo | 8% |
| District of Columbia | $13,435/mo | $1,900/mo | 14% |
| Florida | $12,809/mo | $1,542/mo | 12% |
| Minnesota | $12,495/mo | $1,230/mo | 10% |
| South Carolina | $12,142/mo | $1,131/mo | 9% |
| Ohio | $11,435/mo | $986/mo | 9% |
| West Virginia | $11,186/mo | $848/mo | 8% |
| Kentucky | $11,179/mo | $918/mo | 8% |
| Montana | $11,196/mo | $1,031/mo | 9% |
| Tennessee | $11,176/mo | $1,111/mo | 10% |
| Colorado | $11,694/mo | $1,659/mo | 14% |
| Alabama | $10,746/mo | $967/mo | 9% |
| Delaware | $10,938/mo | $1,321/mo | 12% |
| Louisiana | $10,282/mo | $1,028/mo | 10% |
| Utah | $10,474/mo | $1,396/mo | 13% |
| Vermont | $10,229/mo | $1,207/mo | 12% |
| Alaska | $10,180/mo | $1,361/mo | 13% |
| Kansas | $9,679/mo | $1,025/mo | 11% |
| Missouri | $9,201/mo | $997/mo | 11% |
| Iowa | $8,882/mo | $932/mo | 10% |
| Wyoming | $8,836/mo | $979/mo | 11% |
| Oklahoma | $8,335/mo | $970/mo | 12% |
| Arkansas | $8,191/mo | $903/mo | 11% |
| Mississippi | $7,978/mo | $933/mo | 12% |
| New Hampshire | $8,386/mo | $1,424/mo | 17% |
| Maine | $7,762/mo | $1,104/mo | 14% |
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.