Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Graphic Designer's pay go, state by state?
A Graphic Designer's pay leaves the most room in District of Columbia — about $6,293/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 | $6,293/mo | $1,900/mo | 30% |
| New York | $4,837/mo | $1,621/mo | 34% |
| Rhode Island | $4,352/mo | $1,289/mo | 30% |
| California | $4,833/mo | $1,969/mo | 41% |
| Massachusetts | $4,570/mo | $1,716/mo | 38% |
| Washington | $4,397/mo | $1,641/mo | 37% |
| Minnesota | $3,920/mo | $1,230/mo | 31% |
| Connecticut | $4,107/mo | $1,483/mo | 36% |
| New Hampshire | $3,987/mo | $1,424/mo | 36% |
| Virginia | $4,094/mo | $1,547/mo | 38% |
| Vermont | $3,721/mo | $1,207/mo | 32% |
| Illinois | $3,711/mo | $1,246/mo | 34% |
| Wisconsin | $3,478/mo | $1,033/mo | 30% |
| New Jersey | $4,100/mo | $1,656/mo | 40% |
| Oregon | $3,873/mo | $1,431/mo | 37% |
| Maryland | $4,111/mo | $1,683/mo | 41% |
| Colorado | $4,011/mo | $1,659/mo | 41% |
| Georgia | $3,670/mo | $1,320/mo | 36% |
| North Carolina | $3,491/mo | $1,147/mo | 33% |
| Utah | $3,708/mo | $1,396/mo | 38% |
| Ohio | $3,281/mo | $986/mo | 30% |
| Michigan | $3,322/mo | $1,072/mo | 32% |
| Kentucky | $3,146/mo | $918/mo | 29% |
| Oklahoma | $3,195/mo | $970/mo | 30% |
| Nebraska | $3,225/mo | $1,017/mo | 32% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,380/mo | $1,176/mo | 35% |
| Maine | $3,303/mo | $1,104/mo | 33% |
| Kansas | $3,197/mo | $1,025/mo | 32% |
| Indiana | $3,157/mo | $1,022/mo | 32% |
| Wyoming | $3,106/mo | $979/mo | 32% |
| Texas | $3,452/mo | $1,328/mo | 38% |
| Missouri | $3,120/mo | $997/mo | 32% |
| Nevada | $3,575/mo | $1,478/mo | 41% |
| Montana | $3,099/mo | $1,031/mo | 33% |
| New Mexico | $3,076/mo | $1,034/mo | 34% |
| Iowa | $2,971/mo | $932/mo | 31% |
| Alabama | $2,991/mo | $967/mo | 32% |
| North Dakota | $2,935/mo | $911/mo | 31% |
| Delaware | $3,327/mo | $1,321/mo | 40% |
| Tennessee | $3,103/mo | $1,111/mo | 36% |
| Arkansas | $2,889/mo | $903/mo | 31% |
| South Carolina | $3,103/mo | $1,131/mo | 36% |
| Florida | $3,508/mo | $1,542/mo | 44% |
| Louisiana | $2,963/mo | $1,028/mo | 35% |
| Idaho | $3,066/mo | $1,163/mo | 38% |
| Mississippi | $2,773/mo | $933/mo | 34% |
| West Virginia | $2,618/mo | $848/mo | 32% |
| Alaska | $3,076/mo | $1,361/mo | 44% |
| Arizona | $3,086/mo | $1,419/mo | 46% |
| South Dakota | $2,536/mo | $910/mo | 36% |
| Hawaii | $3,265/mo | $1,927/mo | 59% |
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.