Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Tax Preparer's pay go, state by state?
A Tax Preparer's pay leaves the most room in Alaska — about $4,891/mo take-home against $1,361/mo typical rent — and the least in West Virginia.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $4,891/mo | $1,361/mo | 28% |
| Colorado | $4,995/mo | $1,659/mo | 33% |
| New York | $4,532/mo | $1,621/mo | 36% |
| Utah | $4,303/mo | $1,396/mo | 32% |
| North Dakota | $3,741/mo | $911/mo | 24% |
| Wyoming | $3,793/mo | $979/mo | 26% |
| Michigan | $3,710/mo | $1,072/mo | 29% |
| Idaho | $3,704/mo | $1,163/mo | 31% |
| Virginia | $3,896/mo | $1,547/mo | 40% |
| Vermont | $3,533/mo | $1,207/mo | 34% |
| Rhode Island | $3,569/mo | $1,289/mo | 36% |
| Massachusetts | $3,980/mo | $1,716/mo | 43% |
| New Hampshire | $3,683/mo | $1,424/mo | 39% |
| California | $4,222/mo | $1,969/mo | 47% |
| South Dakota | $3,106/mo | $910/mo | 29% |
| Iowa | $3,109/mo | $932/mo | 30% |
| Montana | $3,204/mo | $1,031/mo | 32% |
| North Carolina | $3,275/mo | $1,147/mo | 35% |
| Nevada | $3,586/mo | $1,478/mo | 41% |
| Wisconsin | $3,066/mo | $1,033/mo | 34% |
| Tennessee | $3,102/mo | $1,111/mo | 36% |
| Maine | $3,094/mo | $1,104/mo | 36% |
| Ohio | $2,942/mo | $986/mo | 34% |
| Minnesota | $3,129/mo | $1,230/mo | 39% |
| New Jersey | $3,532/mo | $1,656/mo | 47% |
| Texas | $3,107/mo | $1,328/mo | 43% |
| Delaware | $3,063/mo | $1,321/mo | 43% |
| Oregon | $3,127/mo | $1,431/mo | 46% |
| Illinois | $2,912/mo | $1,246/mo | 43% |
| Nebraska | $2,651/mo | $1,017/mo | 38% |
| Georgia | $2,839/mo | $1,320/mo | 46% |
| Kentucky | $2,430/mo | $918/mo | 38% |
| Kansas | $2,534/mo | $1,025/mo | 40% |
| Washington | $3,109/mo | $1,641/mo | 53% |
| Indiana | $2,458/mo | $1,022/mo | 42% |
| New Mexico | $2,467/mo | $1,034/mo | 42% |
| Oklahoma | $2,365/mo | $970/mo | 41% |
| Louisiana | $2,369/mo | $1,028/mo | 43% |
| Arizona | $2,732/mo | $1,419/mo | 52% |
| Pennsylvania | $2,465/mo | $1,176/mo | 48% |
| Maryland | $2,946/mo | $1,683/mo | 57% |
| Missouri | $2,233/mo | $997/mo | 45% |
| South Carolina | $2,296/mo | $1,131/mo | 49% |
| Florida | $2,698/mo | $1,542/mo | 57% |
| Connecticut | $2,608/mo | $1,483/mo | 57% |
| Mississippi | $1,974/mo | $933/mo | 47% |
| Arkansas | $1,905/mo | $903/mo | 47% |
| Alabama | $1,905/mo | $967/mo | 51% |
| Hawaii | $2,826/mo | $1,927/mo | 68% |
| West Virginia | $1,648/mo | $848/mo | 51% |
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.