Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Web Developer's pay go, state by state?
A Web Developer's pay leaves the most room in District of Columbia — about $7,312/mo take-home against $1,900/mo typical rent — and the least in Arkansas.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $7,312/mo | $1,900/mo | 26% |
| Washington | $7,047/mo | $1,641/mo | 23% |
| Delaware | $6,659/mo | $1,321/mo | 20% |
| Virginia | $6,879/mo | $1,547/mo | 22% |
| California | $7,274/mo | $1,969/mo | 27% |
| Illinois | $6,538/mo | $1,246/mo | 19% |
| Minnesota | $6,096/mo | $1,230/mo | 20% |
| Massachusetts | $6,490/mo | $1,716/mo | 26% |
| Texas | $6,057/mo | $1,328/mo | 22% |
| Michigan | $5,750/mo | $1,072/mo | 19% |
| South Carolina | $5,749/mo | $1,131/mo | 20% |
| New Hampshire | $5,929/mo | $1,424/mo | 24% |
| Pennsylvania | $5,672/mo | $1,176/mo | 21% |
| Georgia | $5,762/mo | $1,320/mo | 23% |
| Ohio | $5,405/mo | $986/mo | 18% |
| Alaska | $5,726/mo | $1,361/mo | 24% |
| Connecticut | $5,762/mo | $1,483/mo | 26% |
| Oklahoma | $5,048/mo | $970/mo | 19% |
| Vermont | $5,137/mo | $1,207/mo | 23% |
| Rhode Island | $5,196/mo | $1,289/mo | 25% |
| Tennessee | $5,006/mo | $1,111/mo | 22% |
| North Carolina | $4,974/mo | $1,147/mo | 23% |
| Maryland | $5,405/mo | $1,683/mo | 31% |
| Kansas | $4,737/mo | $1,025/mo | 22% |
| Iowa | $4,512/mo | $932/mo | 21% |
| Florida | $5,112/mo | $1,542/mo | 30% |
| Kentucky | $4,476/mo | $918/mo | 21% |
| Nebraska | $4,570/mo | $1,017/mo | 22% |
| West Virginia | $4,380/mo | $848/mo | 19% |
| New York | $5,150/mo | $1,621/mo | 31% |
| New Jersey | $5,173/mo | $1,656/mo | 32% |
| Missouri | $4,448/mo | $997/mo | 22% |
| Wisconsin | $4,359/mo | $1,033/mo | 24% |
| North Dakota | $4,131/mo | $911/mo | 22% |
| Louisiana | $4,213/mo | $1,028/mo | 24% |
| Maine | $4,283/mo | $1,104/mo | 26% |
| Alabama | $4,096/mo | $967/mo | 24% |
| Wyoming | $4,088/mo | $979/mo | 24% |
| Utah | $4,337/mo | $1,396/mo | 32% |
| Arizona | $4,352/mo | $1,419/mo | 33% |
| Mississippi | $3,768/mo | $933/mo | 25% |
| Oregon | $4,177/mo | $1,431/mo | 34% |
| Montana | $3,768/mo | $1,031/mo | 27% |
| Idaho | $3,880/mo | $1,163/mo | 30% |
| Indiana | $3,736/mo | $1,022/mo | 27% |
| Nevada | $4,096/mo | $1,478/mo | 36% |
| Colorado | $4,176/mo | $1,659/mo | 40% |
| South Dakota | $3,300/mo | $910/mo | 28% |
| Arkansas | $2,739/mo | $903/mo | 33% |
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.