Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Security Worker's pay go, state by state?
A Security Worker's pay leaves the most room in Minnesota — about $5,086/mo take-home against $1,230/mo typical rent — and the least in Massachusetts.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $5,086/mo | $1,230/mo | 24% |
| Delaware | $4,914/mo | $1,321/mo | 27% |
| New Hampshire | $4,750/mo | $1,424/mo | 30% |
| Montana | $3,975/mo | $1,031/mo | 26% |
| District of Columbia | $4,841/mo | $1,900/mo | 39% |
| Missouri | $3,897/mo | $997/mo | 26% |
| Alaska | $4,155/mo | $1,361/mo | 33% |
| Indiana | $3,808/mo | $1,022/mo | 27% |
| South Dakota | $3,683/mo | $910/mo | 25% |
| Rhode Island | $3,983/mo | $1,289/mo | 32% |
| North Carolina | $3,793/mo | $1,147/mo | 30% |
| Virginia | $4,171/mo | $1,547/mo | 37% |
| Wisconsin | $3,589/mo | $1,033/mo | 29% |
| Maine | $3,609/mo | $1,104/mo | 31% |
| Washington | $4,134/mo | $1,641/mo | 40% |
| Vermont | $3,691/mo | $1,207/mo | 33% |
| North Dakota | $3,388/mo | $911/mo | 27% |
| Arkansas | $3,366/mo | $903/mo | 27% |
| New York | $4,081/mo | $1,621/mo | 40% |
| Maryland | $4,139/mo | $1,683/mo | 41% |
| Arizona | $3,839/mo | $1,419/mo | 37% |
| Utah | $3,808/mo | $1,396/mo | 37% |
| Kansas | $3,404/mo | $1,025/mo | 30% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,539/mo | $1,176/mo | 33% |
| Illinois | $3,606/mo | $1,246/mo | 35% |
| Ohio | $3,346/mo | $986/mo | 29% |
| New Mexico | $3,262/mo | $1,034/mo | 32% |
| Nebraska | $3,220/mo | $1,017/mo | 32% |
| Alabama | $3,154/mo | $967/mo | 31% |
| New Jersey | $3,837/mo | $1,656/mo | 43% |
| Iowa | $3,110/mo | $932/mo | 30% |
| Louisiana | $3,111/mo | $1,028/mo | 33% |
| Colorado | $3,724/mo | $1,659/mo | 45% |
| West Virginia | $2,884/mo | $848/mo | 29% |
| Texas | $3,296/mo | $1,328/mo | 40% |
| Oklahoma | $2,922/mo | $970/mo | 33% |
| Tennessee | $3,039/mo | $1,111/mo | 37% |
| Oregon | $3,329/mo | $1,431/mo | 43% |
| Kentucky | $2,786/mo | $918/mo | 33% |
| Idaho | $2,989/mo | $1,163/mo | 39% |
| Hawaii | $3,741/mo | $1,927/mo | 52% |
| Connecticut | $3,277/mo | $1,483/mo | 45% |
| Mississippi | $2,696/mo | $933/mo | 35% |
| Michigan | $2,817/mo | $1,072/mo | 38% |
| Wyoming | $2,688/mo | $979/mo | 36% |
| Georgia | $3,008/mo | $1,320/mo | 44% |
| Nevada | $3,137/mo | $1,478/mo | 47% |
| Florida | $3,128/mo | $1,542/mo | 49% |
| California | $3,485/mo | $1,969/mo | 56% |
| South Carolina | $2,596/mo | $1,131/mo | 44% |
| Massachusetts | $3,167/mo | $1,716/mo | 54% |
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.