Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Operations Research Analyst's pay go, state by state?
A Operations Research Analyst's pay leaves the most room in Virginia — about $7,628/mo take-home against $1,547/mo typical rent — and the least in Missouri.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $7,628/mo | $1,547/mo | 20% |
| Alabama | $6,986/mo | $967/mo | 14% |
| Maryland | $7,220/mo | $1,683/mo | 23% |
| Kansas | $6,499/mo | $1,025/mo | 16% |
| Delaware | $6,774/mo | $1,321/mo | 20% |
| North Carolina | $6,577/mo | $1,147/mo | 17% |
| Illinois | $6,622/mo | $1,246/mo | 19% |
| Alaska | $6,659/mo | $1,361/mo | 20% |
| District of Columbia | $7,149/mo | $1,900/mo | 27% |
| Minnesota | $6,436/mo | $1,230/mo | 19% |
| Maine | $6,091/mo | $1,104/mo | 18% |
| New Jersey | $6,639/mo | $1,656/mo | 25% |
| Michigan | $5,955/mo | $1,072/mo | 18% |
| Oregon | $6,309/mo | $1,431/mo | 23% |
| New York | $6,466/mo | $1,621/mo | 25% |
| Colorado | $6,466/mo | $1,659/mo | 26% |
| Ohio | $5,780/mo | $986/mo | 17% |
| Connecticut | $6,195/mo | $1,483/mo | 24% |
| Hawaii | $6,635/mo | $1,927/mo | 29% |
| Mississippi | $5,445/mo | $933/mo | 17% |
| Nebraska | $5,525/mo | $1,017/mo | 18% |
| North Dakota | $5,379/mo | $911/mo | 17% |
| Washington | $6,093/mo | $1,641/mo | 27% |
| Iowa | $5,331/mo | $932/mo | 17% |
| Indiana | $5,369/mo | $1,022/mo | 19% |
| Texas | $5,623/mo | $1,328/mo | 24% |
| Kentucky | $5,070/mo | $918/mo | 18% |
| Massachusetts | $5,860/mo | $1,716/mo | 29% |
| Vermont | $5,328/mo | $1,207/mo | 23% |
| New Hampshire | $5,532/mo | $1,424/mo | 26% |
| South Carolina | $5,218/mo | $1,131/mo | 22% |
| Wisconsin | $5,091/mo | $1,033/mo | 20% |
| Utah | $5,212/mo | $1,396/mo | 27% |
| Georgia | $5,091/mo | $1,320/mo | 26% |
| Nevada | $5,162/mo | $1,478/mo | 29% |
| Florida | $5,124/mo | $1,542/mo | 30% |
| Montana | $4,565/mo | $1,031/mo | 23% |
| Arizona | $4,941/mo | $1,419/mo | 29% |
| New Mexico | $4,534/mo | $1,034/mo | 23% |
| Arkansas | $4,402/mo | $903/mo | 21% |
| Tennessee | $4,597/mo | $1,111/mo | 24% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,644/mo | $1,176/mo | 25% |
| California | $5,387/mo | $1,969/mo | 37% |
| Idaho | $4,539/mo | $1,163/mo | 26% |
| Louisiana | $4,386/mo | $1,028/mo | 23% |
| West Virginia | $4,021/mo | $848/mo | 21% |
| Oklahoma | $4,055/mo | $970/mo | 24% |
| Rhode Island | $3,860/mo | $1,289/mo | 33% |
| Missouri | $3,484/mo | $997/mo | 29% |
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.