Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester's pay go, state by state?
A Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester's pay leaves the most room in California — about $8,411/mo take-home against $1,969/mo typical rent — and the least in Vermont.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $8,411/mo | $1,969/mo | 23% |
| Washington | $7,961/mo | $1,641/mo | 21% |
| Massachusetts | $7,886/mo | $1,716/mo | 22% |
| District of Columbia | $7,928/mo | $1,900/mo | 24% |
| Colorado | $7,536/mo | $1,659/mo | 22% |
| Delaware | $7,127/mo | $1,321/mo | 19% |
| Maryland | $7,366/mo | $1,683/mo | 23% |
| Hawaii | $7,570/mo | $1,927/mo | 25% |
| New York | $7,264/mo | $1,621/mo | 22% |
| Virginia | $7,157/mo | $1,547/mo | 22% |
| New Mexico | $6,427/mo | $1,034/mo | 16% |
| Minnesota | $6,606/mo | $1,230/mo | 19% |
| North Carolina | $6,456/mo | $1,147/mo | 18% |
| New Hampshire | $6,670/mo | $1,424/mo | 21% |
| New Jersey | $6,890/mo | $1,656/mo | 24% |
| Texas | $6,515/mo | $1,328/mo | 20% |
| Alabama | $6,144/mo | $967/mo | 16% |
| Alaska | $6,477/mo | $1,361/mo | 21% |
| Georgia | $6,423/mo | $1,320/mo | 21% |
| Connecticut | $6,442/mo | $1,483/mo | 23% |
| Arizona | $6,345/mo | $1,419/mo | 22% |
| Rhode Island | $6,120/mo | $1,289/mo | 21% |
| Illinois | $6,014/mo | $1,246/mo | 21% |
| Pennsylvania | $5,931/mo | $1,176/mo | 20% |
| Florida | $6,220/mo | $1,542/mo | 25% |
| Iowa | $5,597/mo | $932/mo | 17% |
| Nebraska | $5,620/mo | $1,017/mo | 18% |
| Indiana | $5,501/mo | $1,022/mo | 19% |
| Kansas | $5,458/mo | $1,025/mo | 19% |
| Mississippi | $5,363/mo | $933/mo | 17% |
| Oregon | $5,845/mo | $1,431/mo | 24% |
| Ohio | $5,366/mo | $986/mo | 18% |
| Maine | $5,456/mo | $1,104/mo | 20% |
| South Carolina | $5,477/mo | $1,131/mo | 21% |
| North Dakota | $5,234/mo | $911/mo | 17% |
| Michigan | $5,392/mo | $1,072/mo | 20% |
| Wisconsin | $5,337/mo | $1,033/mo | 19% |
| Tennessee | $5,297/mo | $1,111/mo | 21% |
| Kentucky | $4,973/mo | $918/mo | 18% |
| Utah | $5,280/mo | $1,396/mo | 26% |
| Nevada | $5,330/mo | $1,478/mo | 28% |
| Idaho | $4,987/mo | $1,163/mo | 23% |
| Missouri | $4,804/mo | $997/mo | 21% |
| Louisiana | $4,488/mo | $1,028/mo | 23% |
| Oklahoma | $4,326/mo | $970/mo | 22% |
| Montana | $4,385/mo | $1,031/mo | 24% |
| South Dakota | $4,181/mo | $910/mo | 22% |
| West Virginia | $4,077/mo | $848/mo | 21% |
| Vermont | $4,293/mo | $1,207/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.