New York: 11th Worst State to Make a Living, New Report Says

Written by BRIAN MCCREADY (Patch Staff)

According to MoneyRates.com which just compiled “The Best and Worst States to Make a Living 2015” has concluded New York is the 11th hardest state to make a living in.

The top five states to make a living in 2015 are: Texas at No. 1, followed by Washington, Wyoming, Virginia, and Illinois.

The top five worst states to make a living in 2015 are: Hawaii at No. 1, followed by Oregon, Maine, West Virginia, and Vermont.

The rankings were based on five factors including: average wages, state tax rates, cost of living, unemployment rate, and incidents of workplace illness, injuries and fatalities.

The average income in New York is $55,630 while state taxes cost residents $3,253 on average and the unemployment rate is 5.7 percent, according to the report.

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While New York has one of the highest average incomes in the country, it’s taxes are at the higher end along with its unemployment rate, the report finds.

By way of comparison Texas’ average income is $45,330 but there is no state income tax and the unemployment rate is just 4.2 percent.

Read the full report and view the full rankings here.

Do you agree with the report’s findings? Let us know in the comments section below.

Patch file photo of a 2013 job fair in Rockland County.