Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Paralegals and Legal Assistant's pay go, state by state?
A Paralegals and Legal Assistant's pay leaves the most room in District of Columbia — about $6,206/mo take-home against $1,900/mo typical rent — and the least in Mississippi.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $6,206/mo | $1,900/mo | 31% |
| New York | $4,793/mo | $1,621/mo | 34% |
| Rhode Island | $4,432/mo | $1,289/mo | 29% |
| Connecticut | $4,509/mo | $1,483/mo | 33% |
| South Dakota | $3,838/mo | $910/mo | 24% |
| California | $4,884/mo | $1,969/mo | 40% |
| Iowa | $3,836/mo | $932/mo | 24% |
| Missouri | $3,893/mo | $997/mo | 26% |
| Massachusetts | $4,587/mo | $1,716/mo | 37% |
| Washington | $4,502/mo | $1,641/mo | 36% |
| Minnesota | $4,068/mo | $1,230/mo | 30% |
| Delaware | $4,155/mo | $1,321/mo | 32% |
| Michigan | $3,898/mo | $1,072/mo | 28% |
| Colorado | $4,476/mo | $1,659/mo | 37% |
| Vermont | $4,022/mo | $1,207/mo | 30% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,979/mo | $1,176/mo | 30% |
| New Jersey | $4,444/mo | $1,656/mo | 37% |
| Nebraska | $3,775/mo | $1,017/mo | 27% |
| Maine | $3,859/mo | $1,104/mo | 29% |
| Oregon | $4,122/mo | $1,431/mo | 35% |
| Oklahoma | $3,611/mo | $970/mo | 27% |
| Montana | $3,666/mo | $1,031/mo | 28% |
| North Dakota | $3,542/mo | $911/mo | 26% |
| Nevada | $4,076/mo | $1,478/mo | 36% |
| Arizona | $3,970/mo | $1,419/mo | 36% |
| Maryland | $4,221/mo | $1,683/mo | 40% |
| Texas | $3,818/mo | $1,328/mo | 35% |
| Georgia | $3,805/mo | $1,320/mo | 35% |
| Alaska | $3,843/mo | $1,361/mo | 35% |
| Illinois | $3,728/mo | $1,246/mo | 33% |
| Ohio | $3,466/mo | $986/mo | 28% |
| West Virginia | $3,305/mo | $848/mo | 26% |
| New Hampshire | $3,845/mo | $1,424/mo | 37% |
| Wisconsin | $3,448/mo | $1,033/mo | 30% |
| Florida | $3,942/mo | $1,542/mo | 39% |
| New Mexico | $3,380/mo | $1,034/mo | 31% |
| Wyoming | $3,306/mo | $979/mo | 30% |
| Virginia | $3,873/mo | $1,547/mo | 40% |
| Kentucky | $3,237/mo | $918/mo | 28% |
| North Carolina | $3,380/mo | $1,147/mo | 34% |
| Tennessee | $3,283/mo | $1,111/mo | 34% |
| Indiana | $3,184/mo | $1,022/mo | 32% |
| Alabama | $3,106/mo | $967/mo | 31% |
| Louisiana | $3,134/mo | $1,028/mo | 33% |
| Kansas | $3,076/mo | $1,025/mo | 33% |
| Hawaii | $3,930/mo | $1,927/mo | 49% |
| Utah | $3,380/mo | $1,396/mo | 41% |
| South Carolina | $3,106/mo | $1,131/mo | 36% |
| Idaho | $3,132/mo | $1,163/mo | 37% |
| Mississippi | $2,499/mo | $933/mo | 37% |
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.