Affordability

Can teachers afford to live here?

We pair each state's average teacher salary with local rent and mortgage estimates to show where a teacher's paycheck actually covers housing — and where it doesn't.

Best Affordable States for Teachers

#StateAvg SalaryRent (2BR)% of Income
01Pennsylvania$73,117$1,615/mo27%
02Illinois$72,345$1,598/mo27%
03Washington$86,804$1,989/mo27%
04New York$92,222$2,125/mo28%
05Massachusetts$90,320$2,159/mo29%
06Ohio$65,396$1,564/mo29%
07Minnesota$67,902$1,632/mo29%
08Michigan$64,754$1,564/mo29%
09New Jersey$80,517$1,972/mo29%
10California$95,160$2,346/mo30%

Lower % of income spent on rent = more affordable. The 30% rule is the common healthy benchmark.

Where Teachers Get Stretched Thinnest

Browse All 50 States