Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Veterinarian's pay go, state by state?
A Veterinarian's pay leaves the most room in Arizona — about $8,945/mo take-home against $1,419/mo typical rent — and the least in Nebraska.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $8,945/mo | $1,419/mo | 16% |
| Rhode Island | $8,598/mo | $1,289/mo | 15% |
| Maine | $8,336/mo | $1,104/mo | 13% |
| South Carolina | $8,356/mo | $1,131/mo | 14% |
| West Virginia | $7,966/mo | $848/mo | 11% |
| Idaho | $8,270/mo | $1,163/mo | 14% |
| New Jersey | $8,643/mo | $1,656/mo | 19% |
| North Carolina | $8,079/mo | $1,147/mo | 14% |
| Florida | $8,442/mo | $1,542/mo | 18% |
| New Hampshire | $8,320/mo | $1,424/mo | 17% |
| Washington | $8,508/mo | $1,641/mo | 19% |
| New York | $8,482/mo | $1,621/mo | 19% |
| Connecticut | $8,303/mo | $1,483/mo | 18% |
| Texas | $8,127/mo | $1,328/mo | 16% |
| Massachusetts | $8,484/mo | $1,716/mo | 20% |
| California | $8,603/mo | $1,969/mo | 23% |
| District of Columbia | $8,503/mo | $1,900/mo | 22% |
| Tennessee | $7,686/mo | $1,111/mo | 14% |
| New Mexico | $7,343/mo | $1,034/mo | 14% |
| Delaware | $7,584/mo | $1,321/mo | 17% |
| Pennsylvania | $7,417/mo | $1,176/mo | 16% |
| Virginia | $7,516/mo | $1,547/mo | 21% |
| Indiana | $6,939/mo | $1,022/mo | 15% |
| Utah | $7,273/mo | $1,396/mo | 19% |
| Ohio | $6,796/mo | $986/mo | 15% |
| North Dakota | $6,718/mo | $911/mo | 14% |
| Louisiana | $6,766/mo | $1,028/mo | 15% |
| Wisconsin | $6,735/mo | $1,033/mo | 15% |
| Michigan | $6,739/mo | $1,072/mo | 16% |
| South Dakota | $6,562/mo | $910/mo | 14% |
| Minnesota | $6,880/mo | $1,230/mo | 18% |
| Alabama | $6,561/mo | $967/mo | 15% |
| Hawaii | $7,516/mo | $1,927/mo | 26% |
| Iowa | $6,451/mo | $932/mo | 14% |
| Mississippi | $6,401/mo | $933/mo | 15% |
| Oregon | $6,899/mo | $1,431/mo | 21% |
| Missouri | $6,460/mo | $997/mo | 15% |
| Arkansas | $6,339/mo | $903/mo | 14% |
| Illinois | $6,679/mo | $1,246/mo | 19% |
| Kentucky | $6,304/mo | $918/mo | 15% |
| Georgia | $6,692/mo | $1,320/mo | 20% |
| Wyoming | $6,323/mo | $979/mo | 15% |
| Oklahoma | $6,260/mo | $970/mo | 15% |
| Kansas | $6,313/mo | $1,025/mo | 16% |
| Nevada | $6,729/mo | $1,478/mo | 22% |
| Colorado | $6,770/mo | $1,659/mo | 25% |
| Montana | $5,533/mo | $1,031/mo | 19% |
| Nebraska | $5,393/mo | $1,017/mo | 19% |
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.