10 Best States for Teacher Pay vs Cost of Living – 2024 Salary Update

We analyzed all the data and trends to find the best states for teacher pay vs cost of living so you can score a good salary while making a good impact on the community.

For teachers, school salaries and what it takes to live well might not always add up. Therefore, we’ve unearthed the best states for teacher pay vs cost of living so you can get the best bang for your buck. New York City might have great pay, but good luck living in Manhattan on a teacher’s salary.

What we found is that in some places, the paycheck doesn’t vanish into the void of rent, groceries, and strange fees. Below, we’ll dive into the balance of these states where teachers can still keep their pockets full and live an easier life.

Methodology

To develop this list of the best states for teacher pay vs cost of living, we researched stats from the National Center for Education Statistics, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). We checked teacher salaries as well as  cost of living as a percentage compared to the rest of the US.

And job opportunities were grabbed off the boards of each state, from bustling metro areas to sleepy towns where tumbleweeds are more common than new hires.

The 10 Best States for Teacher Pay vs Cost of Living

#10. Oregon

Average Salary: $74,700
Average Cost of Living: 18% above the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 2,400
Location: Check on Google Maps

Oregon barely squeezed into our top 10, dangling at the edge with paychecks fat enough to counterbalance the state’s craving for a higher-than-average cost of living.

In Portland, teachers wrangle an average of $77,300 per year, though the dollar signs start to evaporate quickly with the city’s hefty living expenses.

In smaller cities like Eugene and Salem, the math starts to look a little friendlier, and your salary might actually linger long enough to get you through the month without a hitch.

#9. Michigan

Average Salary: $72,500
Average Cost of Living: 10% below the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 3,200
Location: Check on Google Maps

In Michigan, you’ll find the odds tilted in favor of the frugal teacher.

While Detroit boasts an average salary nearing $74,800, the cost of living remains surprisingly low, especially in Grand Rapids and Lansing, where the numbers make more sense.

Michigan is a state of contradictions: crumbling industrial giants, yet teeming with teaching opportunities in both urban chaos and rural quietude.

#8. Pennsylvania

Average Salary: $73,200
Average Cost of Living: 5% above the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 4,100
Location: Check on Google Maps

Pennsylvania is a peculiar beast, where salaries and living costs dance a tightrope act.

In the gritty streets of Philadelphia, you can expect to pull in around $76,000 as a teacher, while Pittsburgh waves a slightly smaller paycheck in your face, about $71,000.

The real trick here is making it in the smaller cities, like Scranton, where your paycheck won’t evaporate with the first glance at a rent bill.

#7. Texas

Average Salary: $57,500
Average Cost of Living: 8% below the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 8,000
Location: Check on Google Maps

Ah, Texas. The land where the paycheck may not break records, but the living’s cheap and the job market is wide open. Houston and Austin lead the pack, with Dallas and San Antonio following close behind.

With salaries around $55,000 to $58,000, the real beauty here lies in the state’s affordable lifestyle, where a buck stretches far, and a teacher’s humble pay doesn’t have to shrink in embarrassment.

#6. Washington

Average Salary: $77,800
Average Cost of Living: 15% above the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 2,500
Location: Check on Google Maps

Washington doesn’t mess around when it comes to teacher salaries.

At a hefty $77,800 average, Seattle struts proudly, but beware of its living costs—15% above the national average.

Meanwhile, in Tacoma, teachers still enjoy a decent wage without quite the financial sting. If you can dodge the higher costs, the Pacific Northwest might just be your best bet.

#5. Georgia

Average Salary: $58,200
Average Cost of Living: 7% below the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 6,000
Location: Check on Google Maps

Georgia, where the air is thick and salaries are steady, offering a curious blend of high-paying metro jobs and rural gigs where the cost of living isn’t out to get you.

Atlanta leads the charge with $60,000 salaries, while smaller towns like Augusta offer slightly lower figures but far cheaper lifestyles. The peachy state is ripe for the picking when it comes to teaching opportunities.

#4. Ohio

Average Salary: $60,800
Average Cost of Living: 9% below the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 5,500
Location: Check on Google Maps

Ohio’s not just known for rolling plains and endless highways—it’s got a sweet deal for teachers, too. Columbus serves up a solid $63,000 salary, with Cincinnati and Cleveland not far behind.

Akron and Toledo? They offer the same quality of life but for less cash at the checkout counter. Ohio stretches your dollar while ensuring you’re not scraping by on ramen.

#3. Utah

Average Salary: $60,200
Average Cost of Living: 5% below the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 2,700
Location: Check on Google Maps

Utah, land of mountains and moderation. Salt Lake City, with its $62,000 salary for teachers, leads the state, and Provo isn’t too shabby either. Teachers here can enjoy the outdoor playground while staying ahead of the cost-of-living game.

The lifestyle might take some time to adjust to, but Utah remains one of the best states for teacher pay vs cost of living along with a strong quality of life as well.

#2. Wyoming

Average Salary: $59,000
Average Cost of Living: 4% below the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 1,200
Location: Check on Google Maps

In Wyoming, wide-open spaces mean wide-open opportunities. Cheyenne hands out $60,000 salaries like they’re free brochures, and Laramie isn’t far behind.

Low living costs make this state a jackpot for teachers, especially in the quieter corners where your salary seems to stretch endlessly, like the horizon itself.

#1. North Carolina

Average Salary: $58,800
Average Cost of Living: 6% below the national average
Number of Teacher Jobs Available: 7,800
Location: Check on Google Maps

North Carolina tops the list with a magical mix of teacher pay and living expenses that don’t leave you gasping for breath. Charlotte and Raleigh offer salaries near $60,000, but the real goldmine lies in smaller cities like Durham, where the cost of living stays low while job opportunities soar.

North Carolina is the place where teaching goes hand-in-hand with a comfortable life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did you rank the best states for teacher pay vs cost of living? We dove into a collection of statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, and MERIC to compare paychecks, living expenses, and job openings across states.

Why should cost of living be factored into teacher salaries? A hefty paycheck won’t get you far if everything you earn goes straight into rent and utilities. Balancing salary with the local cost of living ensures that you keep more of what you earn.

Where can I find teaching jobs in these states? Each state has its own job board for educational positions, and websites like Teach.org often have up-to-date postings for teaching jobs.