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
| # | State | Avg Salary | Rent (2BR) | % of Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pennsylvania | $73,117 | $1,615/mo | 27% |
| 02 | Illinois | $72,345 | $1,598/mo | 27% |
| 03 | Washington | $86,804 | $1,989/mo | 27% |
| 04 | New York | $92,222 | $2,125/mo | 28% |
| 05 | Massachusetts | $90,320 | $2,159/mo | 29% |
| 06 | Ohio | $65,396 | $1,564/mo | 29% |
| 07 | Minnesota | $67,902 | $1,632/mo | 29% |
| 08 | Michigan | $64,754 | $1,564/mo | 29% |
| 09 | New Jersey | $80,517 | $1,972/mo | 29% |
| 10 | California | $95,160 | $2,346/mo | 30% |
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
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