Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Network Architect's pay go, state by state?
A Network Architect's pay leaves the most room in Washington — about $10,693/mo take-home against $1,641/mo typical rent — and the least in Hawaii.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $10,693/mo | $1,641/mo | 15% |
| South Dakota | $9,944/mo | $910/mo | 9% |
| Massachusetts | $9,958/mo | $1,716/mo | 17% |
| New Jersey | $9,404/mo | $1,656/mo | 18% |
| Maryland | $9,378/mo | $1,683/mo | 18% |
| California | $9,424/mo | $1,969/mo | 21% |
| Rhode Island | $8,683/mo | $1,289/mo | 15% |
| Virginia | $8,867/mo | $1,547/mo | 17% |
| Illinois | $8,563/mo | $1,246/mo | 15% |
| Georgia | $8,604/mo | $1,320/mo | 15% |
| Texas | $8,606/mo | $1,328/mo | 15% |
| Alabama | $8,189/mo | $967/mo | 12% |
| New Hampshire | $8,644/mo | $1,424/mo | 16% |
| Minnesota | $8,395/mo | $1,230/mo | 15% |
| New York | $8,746/mo | $1,621/mo | 19% |
| Utah | $8,462/mo | $1,396/mo | 16% |
| Iowa | $7,951/mo | $932/mo | 12% |
| Delaware | $8,332/mo | $1,321/mo | 16% |
| Ohio | $7,975/mo | $986/mo | 12% |
| Colorado | $8,642/mo | $1,659/mo | 19% |
| Connecticut | $8,436/mo | $1,483/mo | 18% |
| Vermont | $8,132/mo | $1,207/mo | 15% |
| District of Columbia | $8,703/mo | $1,900/mo | 22% |
| North Carolina | $7,843/mo | $1,147/mo | 15% |
| Florida | $8,209/mo | $1,542/mo | 19% |
| North Dakota | $7,504/mo | $911/mo | 12% |
| Nevada | $7,964/mo | $1,478/mo | 19% |
| Oregon | $7,914/mo | $1,431/mo | 18% |
| Wisconsin | $7,290/mo | $1,033/mo | 14% |
| Arizona | $7,603/mo | $1,419/mo | 19% |
| Idaho | $7,339/mo | $1,163/mo | 16% |
| Missouri | $7,134/mo | $997/mo | 14% |
| Nebraska | $7,151/mo | $1,017/mo | 14% |
| New Mexico | $7,118/mo | $1,034/mo | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | $7,257/mo | $1,176/mo | 16% |
| Tennessee | $7,176/mo | $1,111/mo | 15% |
| Wyoming | $7,027/mo | $979/mo | 14% |
| Indiana | $7,034/mo | $1,022/mo | 15% |
| Oklahoma | $6,760/mo | $970/mo | 14% |
| Michigan | $6,856/mo | $1,072/mo | 16% |
| Kentucky | $6,681/mo | $918/mo | 14% |
| South Carolina | $6,828/mo | $1,131/mo | 17% |
| West Virginia | $6,512/mo | $848/mo | 13% |
| Montana | $6,679/mo | $1,031/mo | 15% |
| Louisiana | $6,657/mo | $1,028/mo | 15% |
| Maine | $6,729/mo | $1,104/mo | 16% |
| Arkansas | $6,459/mo | $903/mo | 14% |
| Alaska | $6,822/mo | $1,361/mo | 20% |
| Kansas | $6,450/mo | $1,025/mo | 16% |
| Mississippi | $6,248/mo | $933/mo | 15% |
| Hawaii | $6,772/mo | $1,927/mo | 28% |
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.