Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Cost Estimator's pay go, state by state?
A Cost Estimator's pay leaves the most room in Massachusetts — about $6,174/mo take-home against $1,716/mo typical rent — and the least in Florida.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $6,174/mo | $1,716/mo | 28% |
| Minnesota | $5,152/mo | $1,230/mo | 24% |
| Illinois | $5,163/mo | $1,246/mo | 24% |
| Arizona | $5,242/mo | $1,419/mo | 27% |
| South Dakota | $4,663/mo | $910/mo | 20% |
| Vermont | $4,922/mo | $1,207/mo | 25% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,878/mo | $1,176/mo | 24% |
| Kansas | $4,726/mo | $1,025/mo | 22% |
| Michigan | $4,773/mo | $1,072/mo | 22% |
| New Mexico | $4,727/mo | $1,034/mo | 22% |
| Missouri | $4,679/mo | $997/mo | 21% |
| Washington | $5,321/mo | $1,641/mo | 31% |
| Connecticut | $5,117/mo | $1,483/mo | 29% |
| Nevada | $5,108/mo | $1,478/mo | 29% |
| New York | $5,230/mo | $1,621/mo | 31% |
| New Jersey | $5,253/mo | $1,656/mo | 32% |
| Oregon | $5,012/mo | $1,431/mo | 29% |
| Ohio | $4,563/mo | $986/mo | 22% |
| Wyoming | $4,549/mo | $979/mo | 22% |
| Tennessee | $4,653/mo | $1,111/mo | 24% |
| Colorado | $5,195/mo | $1,659/mo | 32% |
| District of Columbia | $5,435/mo | $1,900/mo | 35% |
| New Hampshire | $4,892/mo | $1,424/mo | 29% |
| Iowa | $4,397/mo | $932/mo | 21% |
| Idaho | $4,593/mo | $1,163/mo | 25% |
| Texas | $4,752/mo | $1,328/mo | 28% |
| Indiana | $4,435/mo | $1,022/mo | 23% |
| Maryland | $5,077/mo | $1,683/mo | 33% |
| Louisiana | $4,413/mo | $1,028/mo | 23% |
| Wisconsin | $4,416/mo | $1,033/mo | 23% |
| West Virginia | $4,218/mo | $848/mo | 20% |
| California | $5,324/mo | $1,969/mo | 37% |
| North Dakota | $4,258/mo | $911/mo | 21% |
| Kentucky | $4,231/mo | $918/mo | 22% |
| Nebraska | $4,326/mo | $1,017/mo | 24% |
| Utah | $4,678/mo | $1,396/mo | 30% |
| Montana | $4,225/mo | $1,031/mo | 24% |
| Mississippi | $4,106/mo | $933/mo | 23% |
| Maine | $4,276/mo | $1,104/mo | 26% |
| Delaware | $4,415/mo | $1,321/mo | 30% |
| North Carolina | $4,239/mo | $1,147/mo | 27% |
| Georgia | $4,394/mo | $1,320/mo | 30% |
| Alabama | $4,003/mo | $967/mo | 24% |
| Virginia | $4,574/mo | $1,547/mo | 34% |
| Arkansas | $3,925/mo | $903/mo | 23% |
| Oklahoma | $3,968/mo | $970/mo | 24% |
| Alaska | $4,338/mo | $1,361/mo | 31% |
| South Carolina | $4,049/mo | $1,131/mo | 28% |
| Rhode Island | $4,084/mo | $1,289/mo | 32% |
| Hawaii | $4,719/mo | $1,927/mo | 41% |
| Florida | $4,279/mo | $1,542/mo | 36% |
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.