Personal finance site MoneyRates.com has released their annual list of the best – and worst – states in which to make a living. MoneyRates.com looked at average wages, taxes, cost of living, unemployment rates, and workplace safety (the number of reported on-the-job illnesses, injuries, and fatalities) to determine which states are best suited for career mobility and employee satisfaction.
Here is the list of the best states in which to make a living in 2015:
- The Lone Star State has become a haven for businesses due to low taxes (and no state income tax), a low cost of living, and slightly higher-than-average wages. The state’s ever-growing, healthy economy has been a popular spot for workers the past few years.
- Coming in at number 1 last year, Washington continues to shine as a hotspot for employment, boasting one of the highest wages in the country and not having a state income tax.
- Like its top two predecessors, Wyoming also lacks the dreaded state income tax. While wages are below the national average, the low cost of living and the unemployment rate more than make up for it.
Making up the rest of the top 10 are:
- Virginia
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Ohio
- Utah
Followed by the worst:
- Looks like the best thing about Hawaii is the weather. Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the nation but doesn’t have a comparable wage to keep people afloat. In fact, Hawaii also has one of the highest income taxes in the nation, making it even harder for employees to live and work there.
- Oregon’s popularity has increased the cost of living (which is 28 percent higher than the national average), but not the salaries. Oregon also recorded a relatively high number of workplace safety incidences.
- Maine has the highest number of workplace illnesses and injuries in the country. The cost of living is also high, while employee compensation and job growth both fall short.
Making up the rest of the top 10 are:
- West Virginia
- Vermont
- California
- Montana
- South Dakota
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut