10 Worst States to Make a Living in 2014

FacebookXPinterestEmailEmailEmailShare
Depressed businessman sitting on stairs wearing a pink shirt.

Transitioning soon? Keep in mind where you're going, not just what's comfortable and familiar.

You should be thinking about which states host the industries you'd like to target, but there are a lot more factors to consider. When it comes to comfortable living, the most influential variables are cost of living, state income tax, average wages, working conditions and rate of unemployment.

MoneyRates.com compiled a list ranking all 50 states using these factors. We featured the top 10 on the list, but here is a list of the bottom 10. Take a look and carefully consider the pros and cons of each state.

1. Hawaii

It may be one of America's favorite vacation destinations, but that doesn't mean everyone living there has it easy. Hawaii's cost of living is 50% higher than the national average, and its average salary isn't nearly enough to compensate.

2. New York

Even though New Yorkers enjoy a higher average salary than usual, there are too many other dings that push it to the bottom 10. The cost of living in New York is much higher than average, and the state income tax is very high. To make matters worse, New York's unemployment rate is nothing to be proud of.

3. Mississippi

Mississippi has the lowest workplace conditions rating out of all 50 states, but that's just the start of its problems. Even though the cost of living is low, wages lower than the national average are not enough to compensate.

4. Rhode Island

Rhode Island enjoys a high average income and low state income tax, but its cost of living is high enough to negate both. Furthermore, the unemployment rate is the lowest in the nation.

5. Connecticut

Workplace conditions in Connecticut barely rate higher than Mississippi's, and that's not all. The average income doesn't compensate for the higher than average cost of living, and unemployment in the state is high.

6. Alaska

Although Alaska has no state income tax, the high cost of living overburdens most Alaskans. Unemployment is higher than average, and Alaskans on average do not like the jobs available in their state.

7. Alabama

Similar to Mississippi's problems, Alabama has a low cost of living, but wages are too low to benefit from it on average. Unemployment rates are high, and workplace conditions are rated lower than average.

8. Arkansas

Arkansas is slightly higher on the totem pole created by Mississippi and Alabama. Wages are too low to balance the below-average cost of living. Workplace conditions are below average, and unemployment is high.

9. New Jersey

Similar to New York, New Jersey's high average wages aren't enough to compensate for its high cost of living. Unemployment is higher than average, and workplace conditions are below average.

10. South Carolina

South Carolina sits at the top of the Southeastern string of living-related issues. Cost of living is low, but wages aren't high enough. However, an average South Carolina rated higher than Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.

Want to Know More About the Military?

Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Story Continues