Best and Worst States to Make A Living 2013 – Full List

See how all 50 U.S. states ranked in this analysis of job-related conditions.

Written by Kristin Marino

Financial Expert

positive and happy girls walking on the city street

Why MoneyRates is your trusted source

Key Takeaways

Washington is the best place to make a living.
Hawaii was the worst place to make a living when this study was done because its cost of living is high.
Several western states are in the top 10, including Wyoming, Colorado, and Nevada.

Didn’t see your state on the lists of Best States to Make a Living or Worst States to Make a Living? Find it below in the full 50-state rankings.

Again, these rankings are based on an analysis that considered:

Average wage and unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cost of living data from C2ER (formerly ACCRA)
State tax rate information from Tax-Rates.org
The Workplace Environment rankings from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index poll

Going from best to worst, here is how all 50 U.S. states ranked for 2013:

Kristin Marino

Managing Editor

Kristin Marino is a seasoned voice in the finance and education sectors, with rich experience spanning decades as a writer and editor. Kristin has lent her editorial financial expertise to platforms like MoneyRates, The Balance, and MoneyGeek. With a keen ability to distill complex financial concepts into accessible insights, she remains dedicated to guiding readers toward informed financial choices.