What state has the best living wage?

There isn't one "best" state for a living wage as it depends on what you're looking for (lowest cost vs. highest wages), but Hawaii and Massachusetts consistently require the highest incomes for comfortable living due to high costs, while Mississippi and West Virginia have the lowest required earnings but also lower wages and higher poverty, and states like Michigan or New Jersey balance higher incomes with higher costs, with Arkansas ranking well for affordability.

What state has the best livable wage?

Living Wage By State (Highest to Lowest)

• 1 - District of Columbia. $67,867.
• 2 - Hawaii. $60,700.
• 3 - Massachusetts. $59,560.
• 4 - Connecticut. $59,502.
• 5 - New York. $59,128.
• 6 - Maryland. $58,178.
• 7 - California. $57,315.
• 8 - New Jersey. $56,109.

What state has the best pay and lowest cost of living?

There isn't one single state that perfectly leads in both high pay and low cost of living, but states like Texas, Tennessee, and Indiana offer a great balance with no income tax and strong job markets; while Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma consistently rank lowest for living expenses, though sometimes with lower average wages, making the best choice dependent on your industry and priorities. 

What is the best state to live in comfortably?

1. Massachusetts. According to WalletHub's study, Massachusetts is the best state to live in, excelling in all key factors—and earning the top spot in the ranking.

What state has the highest minimum pay?

As of January 2026, Washington state has the highest state minimum wage at $17.13 per hour, following recent increases, while Washington, D.C., has the overall highest minimum wage in the U.S. at $17.95, though it's a district, not a state. New York also has high rates, with $17.00 in NYC and surrounding counties, and $16.00 for the rest of the state. 

Higher Minimum Wage Doesn’t Mean Better Living — Here’s Proof

What's the lowest paying state?

The "lowest paying state" depends on the metric, but Mississippi often appears as the lowest for overall wages/income, while Georgia, Wyoming, and Oklahoma have the lowest listed minimum wages (though the $7.25 federal minimum usually applies), and Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee have no state minimum wage above federal, meaning they rely on the $7.25 federal rate.
 

What is the cheapest state you can live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to the nation's lowest housing costs, very affordable groceries, and low utility expenses, with other Southern states like Alabama, West Virginia, and Oklahoma also offering significantly lower living costs than the national average. These states offer strong affordability through low median home prices, lower rents, and often favorable tax environments for retirees, balancing modest wages with low overall expenses. 

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

What is the #1 expensive state to live in?

Top 10 states with the HIGHEST cost of living 💰💰💰 The No. 1 most expensive state is Hawaii, according to Stacker, which analyzed the rankings based on the cost of living by The Council for Community & Economic Research.

What is the best state to move to if you are poor?

• New Hampshire. #1 in Low Poverty Rate. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
• Utah. #2 in Low Poverty Rate. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• Minnesota. #3 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• Colorado. #4 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• Maryland. #5 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• Vermont. #6 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• New Jersey. #7 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
• North Dakota. #8 in Low Poverty Rate.

What is the happiest state to live in?

According to WalletHub's 2025 study, Hawaii is the happiest state in the U.S., ranking first for its strong emotional/physical well-being, work environment, and community/environment factors, with residents showing high life satisfaction, low depression, and long life expectancy, followed by Maryland and Nebraska in the top three. 

What is the easiest state to get a high paying job?

South Dakota is the best state to find a high-paying entry-level job (76.1% of listings pay above the median wage). Hawaii ranks as the worst state to find a highly paid entry-level job (66.1% of listings pay below the median wage).

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Jobs that can pay $400K a year without a degree include commercial real estate brokers, successful YouTubers or influencers, self-employed software developers, high-stakes sales roles like enterprise tech sales, and business owners. These roles rely on skill, market demand, and performance rather than formal education.

Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in the USA?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often involve the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Fort Wayne (IN), Dayton (OH), and Knoxville (TN) offering low housing costs and good value, while states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma consistently rank as most affordable overall. Key factors are low housing prices and a cost of living significantly below the national average, with some top contenders being Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), and Brownsville (TX), but "best" depends on balancing budget with lifestyle needs like jobs, culture, and amenities. 

What state has high paying jobs and low cost of living?

As you consider your next career move, these states could be solid contenders to explore.

1. Texas. Why it's great: No state income tax, lots of job opportunities, and relatively low housing costs outside of major cities. ...
2. Tennessee. ...
3. Indiana. ...
4. North Carolina. ...
5. Utah. ...
6. Georgia. ...
7. Iowa. ...
8. Missouri.

Which state is worth moving to?

The study found the best states to move to are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho and Virginia. According to the list, worst states to move to are California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon.

What are the states with no income tax?

As of 2025, there are nine states that don't collect any state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

What is the safest state to live in?

The safest states to live in consistently rank high for low crime (violent and property), strong financial health, and good emergency preparedness, with Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine frequently appearing at the top of 2025 lists from sources like WalletHub and World Population Review. Other top contenders often include Massachusetts, Utah, Idaho, and Connecticut, while factors like cybercrime rates and road safety also play a role in overall safety scores. 

What state has the lowest rent prices?

West Virginia consistently ranks as the state with the cheapest rent in the U.S., followed closely by states like Mississippi, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Kentucky, with Oklahoma also often appearing on the most affordable lists, though prices can vary by data source and specific city. These states offer significantly lower average rental costs, sometimes with median prices below $900 for various apartment sizes. 

What is the best state to live in financially?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on your priorities (low taxes vs. high wages), but Washington, Texas, Florida, Utah, and New Hampshire consistently rank high due to no income tax, strong economies, or low cost of living, with states like Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee offering very affordable options if budget is key. Key factors are state income tax, housing costs, job market strength, and overall affordability. 

What state has the friendliest people?

While subjective, studies and surveys consistently rank Minnesota, Tennessee, and South Carolina as some of the friendliest U.S. states, often followed by Texas and Wyoming, with general "Southern hospitality" and Midwest politeness often cited, though perceptions of "niceness" (like Minnesota's reserved style) can vary.
 

Which jobs pay $50 an hour in the USA?

Roles offering $50 an hour are often found in highly skilled professions, such as nursing, software engineering, skilled trades, consulting, or technical project management.

Is $40,000 a year considered poor?

A $40,000 salary is classified as lower-middle class, which is defined as households that earn between $30,001 and $58,020 a year.

What state do jobs pay the most?

Massachusetts, New York, and Washington consistently rank as the states with the highest-paying jobs, leading in average salaries due to strong tech, finance, and professional service industries, though Washington D.C. often tops lists for median pay. California, New Jersey, and Connecticut also consistently feature in the top tier for high average earnings, with high-paying roles often found in tech, healthcare, and executive management across these areas.