Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Journalist's pay go, state by state?
A Journalist's pay leaves the most room in California — about $5,900/mo take-home against $1,969/mo typical rent — and the least in Minnesota.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $5,900/mo | $1,969/mo | 33% |
| District of Columbia | $5,598/mo | $1,900/mo | 34% |
| Hawaii | $4,636/mo | $1,927/mo | 42% |
| North Dakota | $3,593/mo | $911/mo | 25% |
| Nevada | $3,977/mo | $1,478/mo | 37% |
| North Carolina | $3,562/mo | $1,147/mo | 32% |
| Connecticut | $3,844/mo | $1,483/mo | 39% |
| Washington | $3,864/mo | $1,641/mo | 42% |
| New Jersey | $3,830/mo | $1,656/mo | 43% |
| Oklahoma | $3,029/mo | $970/mo | 32% |
| Colorado | $3,689/mo | $1,659/mo | 45% |
| Louisiana | $3,039/mo | $1,028/mo | 34% |
| Massachusetts | $3,724/mo | $1,716/mo | 46% |
| Maryland | $3,688/mo | $1,683/mo | 46% |
| New Mexico | $3,026/mo | $1,034/mo | 34% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,165/mo | $1,176/mo | 37% |
| Georgia | $3,260/mo | $1,320/mo | 40% |
| Texas | $3,250/mo | $1,328/mo | 41% |
| Michigan | $2,992/mo | $1,072/mo | 36% |
| Mississippi | $2,803/mo | $933/mo | 33% |
| Utah | $3,253/mo | $1,396/mo | 43% |
| Maine | $2,953/mo | $1,104/mo | 37% |
| South Carolina | $2,956/mo | $1,131/mo | 38% |
| Alaska | $3,136/mo | $1,361/mo | 43% |
| New Hampshire | $3,179/mo | $1,424/mo | 45% |
| Missouri | $2,739/mo | $997/mo | 36% |
| Virginia | $3,289/mo | $1,547/mo | 47% |
| Illinois | $2,963/mo | $1,246/mo | 42% |
| Montana | $2,748/mo | $1,031/mo | 38% |
| Alabama | $2,670/mo | $967/mo | 36% |
| Rhode Island | $2,972/mo | $1,289/mo | 43% |
| Oregon | $3,086/mo | $1,431/mo | 46% |
| Wisconsin | $2,678/mo | $1,033/mo | 39% |
| Arizona | $3,061/mo | $1,419/mo | 46% |
| Tennessee | $2,686/mo | $1,111/mo | 41% |
| Kansas | $2,583/mo | $1,025/mo | 40% |
| Kentucky | $2,464/mo | $918/mo | 37% |
| Indiana | $2,531/mo | $1,022/mo | 40% |
| South Dakota | $2,404/mo | $910/mo | 38% |
| Ohio | $2,425/mo | $986/mo | 41% |
| Iowa | $2,358/mo | $932/mo | 40% |
| Nebraska | $2,443/mo | $1,017/mo | 42% |
| Wyoming | $2,382/mo | $979/mo | 41% |
| Vermont | $2,554/mo | $1,207/mo | 47% |
| Arkansas | $2,246/mo | $903/mo | 40% |
| Idaho | $2,469/mo | $1,163/mo | 47% |
| West Virginia | $2,067/mo | $848/mo | 41% |
| Minnesota | $2,282/mo | $1,230/mo | 54% |
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.