10 States Where Your Paycheck Stretches the Furthest John SchmollNovember 30, 2025 at 12:03 AM 0 Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto Deciding where to live isn't a choice to take lightly. For many Americans, the decision involves numerous important factors, making it difficult to prioritize competing concerns, especially if moving to a new state is on the table.
- - 10 States Where Your Paycheck Stretches the Furthest
John SchmollNovember 30, 2025 at 12:03 AM
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Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Deciding where to live isn't a choice to take lightly. For many Americans, the decision involves numerous important factors, making it difficult to prioritize competing concerns, especially if moving to a new state is on the table.
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The cost of living is a notable concern, particularly with the struggling economy and stubborn inflation. Moving out of expensive large cities to a more economical location is a growing trend amongst Americans, according to The New York Times. Such a move can potentially create increased disposable income that can be used to achieve personal goals.
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The ability to find a good-paying job is another important factor to keep in mind when deciding on a place to live. Before moving to a new state, investigate the landscape of the job market. It may be prudent to research whether it's growing and if there are prospects that fit your current and long-term career aspirations. Americans can identify the health of job markets across the country via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency publishes regular updates on job growth and unemployment statistics nationwide.
No state is perfect, but identifying ones that may enable you to have an enjoyable quality of life, along with a healthy job market that allows you to have disposable income, is possible. A recent study from The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin identifies the 10 best states where paychecks stretch the furthest, based on average annual income, annual cost of living, disposable income, unemployment rate and job growth prospects. Here are the top 10 states where paychecks stretch the most.
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Washington -
Average yearly income: $86,558
Annual cost of living (one person): $44,476
Unemployment rate: 4.5%
Disposable income: $42,082
Job growth: 3.5%
Utah -
Average yearly income: $78,917
Annual cost of living (one person): $42,797
Unemployment rate: 3.3%
Disposable income: $36,120
Job growth: 3.2%
North Dakota -
Average yearly income: $66,813
Annual cost of living (one person): $41,032
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Disposable income: $25,781
Job growth: 2.5%
Alaska -
Average yearly income: $82,512
Annual cost of living (one person): $50,025
Unemployment rate: 4.8%
Disposable income: $32,487
Job growth: 3.1%
Montana -
Average yearly income: $65,242
Annual cost of living (one person): $43,020
Unemployment rate: 2.8%
Disposable income: $22,222
Job growth: 2.5%
Minnesota -
Average yearly income: $72,319
Annual cost of living (one person): $42,743
Unemployment rate: 3.5
Disposable income: $29,576
Job growth: 2.5
Wisconsin -
Average yearly income: $66,106
Annual cost of living (one person): $40,709
Unemployment rate: 3.1%
Disposable income: $25,397
Job growth: 1.7%
Nebraska -
Average yearly income: $63,813
Annual cost of living (one person): $41,778
Unemployment rate: 3.0%
Disposable income: $22,035
Job growth: 2.1%
South Dakota -
Average yearly income: $63,862
Annual cost of living (one person): $46,579
Unemployment rate: 1.9%
Disposable income: $17,283
Job growth: 2.3%
New Jersey -
Average yearly income: $83,102
Annual cost of living (one person): $50,296
Unemployment rate: 4.9%
Disposable income: $32,806
Job growth: 2.5%
The ability to achieve a fulfilling quality of life is attainable, but where you live can directly influence that. Predicting the future isn't possible, but with due diligence, you can identify a place to live that provides enriching growth opportunities.
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Published: November 30, 2025 at 01:18AM on Source: SHOWBIZ MAG
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