Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Psychologist's pay go, state by state?
A Psychologist's pay leaves the most room in New Jersey — about $8,496/mo take-home against $1,656/mo typical rent — and the least in New Hampshire.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $8,496/mo | $1,656/mo | 19% |
| Oregon | $8,244/mo | $1,431/mo | 17% |
| California | $8,219/mo | $1,969/mo | 24% |
| Ohio | $6,869/mo | $986/mo | 14% |
| Rhode Island | $7,150/mo | $1,289/mo | 18% |
| Washington | $7,181/mo | $1,641/mo | 23% |
| Alaska | $6,729/mo | $1,361/mo | 20% |
| Minnesota | $6,575/mo | $1,230/mo | 19% |
| Nevada | $6,761/mo | $1,478/mo | 22% |
| Wisconsin | $6,310/mo | $1,033/mo | 16% |
| Kentucky | $6,183/mo | $918/mo | 15% |
| Maine | $6,355/mo | $1,104/mo | 17% |
| Alabama | $6,158/mo | $967/mo | 16% |
| Maryland | $6,674/mo | $1,683/mo | 25% |
| New York | $6,492/mo | $1,621/mo | 25% |
| Tennessee | $5,849/mo | $1,111/mo | 19% |
| Iowa | $5,610/mo | $932/mo | 17% |
| South Dakota | $5,426/mo | $910/mo | 17% |
| Massachusetts | $6,226/mo | $1,716/mo | 28% |
| Missouri | $5,450/mo | $997/mo | 18% |
| Arizona | $5,839/mo | $1,419/mo | 24% |
| Illinois | $5,589/mo | $1,246/mo | 22% |
| New Mexico | $5,307/mo | $1,034/mo | 19% |
| Virginia | $5,819/mo | $1,547/mo | 27% |
| Indiana | $5,231/mo | $1,022/mo | 20% |
| Hawaii | $6,011/mo | $1,927/mo | 32% |
| Oklahoma | $4,952/mo | $970/mo | 20% |
| Michigan | $5,039/mo | $1,072/mo | 21% |
| North Carolina | $5,111/mo | $1,147/mo | 22% |
| Utah | $5,353/mo | $1,396/mo | 26% |
| Vermont | $5,116/mo | $1,207/mo | 24% |
| North Dakota | $4,817/mo | $911/mo | 19% |
| Georgia | $5,162/mo | $1,320/mo | 26% |
| Colorado | $5,402/mo | $1,659/mo | 31% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,776/mo | $1,176/mo | 25% |
| Florida | $5,117/mo | $1,542/mo | 30% |
| Texas | $4,884/mo | $1,328/mo | 27% |
| West Virginia | $4,248/mo | $848/mo | 20% |
| Montana | $4,393/mo | $1,031/mo | 23% |
| Arkansas | $4,254/mo | $903/mo | 21% |
| Wyoming | $4,278/mo | $979/mo | 23% |
| Kansas | $4,315/mo | $1,025/mo | 24% |
| Idaho | $4,263/mo | $1,163/mo | 27% |
| South Carolina | $3,873/mo | $1,131/mo | 29% |
| New Hampshire | $3,171/mo | $1,424/mo | 45% |
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.