Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker's pay go, state by state?
A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker's pay leaves the most room in Connecticut — about $5,117/mo take-home against $1,483/mo typical rent — and the least in Oklahoma.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $5,117/mo | $1,483/mo | 29% |
| District of Columbia | $5,496/mo | $1,900/mo | 35% |
| New York | $4,937/mo | $1,621/mo | 33% |
| New Hampshire | $4,664/mo | $1,424/mo | 31% |
| Maine | $4,315/mo | $1,104/mo | 26% |
| Minnesota | $4,283/mo | $1,230/mo | 29% |
| Rhode Island | $4,290/mo | $1,289/mo | 30% |
| New Jersey | $4,549/mo | $1,656/mo | 36% |
| Vermont | $3,970/mo | $1,207/mo | 30% |
| North Dakota | $3,630/mo | $911/mo | 25% |
| California | $4,644/mo | $1,969/mo | 42% |
| Michigan | $3,724/mo | $1,072/mo | 29% |
| Washington | $4,215/mo | $1,641/mo | 39% |
| New Mexico | $3,600/mo | $1,034/mo | 29% |
| Alaska | $3,908/mo | $1,361/mo | 35% |
| Oregon | $3,843/mo | $1,431/mo | 37% |
| Kansas | $3,358/mo | $1,025/mo | 31% |
| Wisconsin | $3,350/mo | $1,033/mo | 31% |
| North Carolina | $3,459/mo | $1,147/mo | 33% |
| Massachusetts | $4,014/mo | $1,716/mo | 43% |
| Indiana | $3,312/mo | $1,022/mo | 31% |
| Colorado | $3,929/mo | $1,659/mo | 42% |
| Iowa | $3,175/mo | $932/mo | 29% |
| Virginia | $3,775/mo | $1,547/mo | 41% |
| Delaware | $3,546/mo | $1,321/mo | 37% |
| Arkansas | $2,984/mo | $903/mo | 30% |
| Mississippi | $2,960/mo | $933/mo | 32% |
| South Carolina | $3,134/mo | $1,131/mo | 36% |
| Kentucky | $2,913/mo | $918/mo | 32% |
| Illinois | $3,221/mo | $1,246/mo | 39% |
| Nevada | $3,446/mo | $1,478/mo | 43% |
| Idaho | $3,123/mo | $1,163/mo | 37% |
| Ohio | $2,935/mo | $986/mo | 34% |
| South Dakota | $2,859/mo | $910/mo | 32% |
| Nebraska | $2,937/mo | $1,017/mo | 35% |
| Maryland | $3,579/mo | $1,683/mo | 47% |
| Louisiana | $2,880/mo | $1,028/mo | 36% |
| Pennsylvania | $2,971/mo | $1,176/mo | 40% |
| Florida | $3,309/mo | $1,542/mo | 47% |
| Georgia | $3,077/mo | $1,320/mo | 43% |
| Tennessee | $2,853/mo | $1,111/mo | 39% |
| Hawaii | $3,612/mo | $1,927/mo | 53% |
| Texas | $2,948/mo | $1,328/mo | 45% |
| West Virginia | $2,453/mo | $848/mo | 35% |
| Utah | $2,993/mo | $1,396/mo | 47% |
| Wyoming | $2,541/mo | $979/mo | 39% |
| Montana | $2,555/mo | $1,031/mo | 40% |
| Arizona | $2,932/mo | $1,419/mo | 48% |
| Alabama | $2,462/mo | $967/mo | 39% |
| Missouri | $2,480/mo | $997/mo | 40% |
| Oklahoma | $2,453/mo | $970/mo | 40% |
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.