The COVID-19 pandemic was devastating for a variety of reasons, but the way it hindered the job market was an especially tough aspect of it. People lost their jobs, they had to adapt to remote or hybrid work environments, and they now have to handle their jobs not adjusting their salaries for inflation.
This has caused many workers to get creative and look for ways to expand their job opportunities, such as moving to a state with the best job growth in the U.S.
These states include Utah, Colorado, Massachusetts, Idaho, and Virginia. There are similarities and differences between these states, and we’ll discuss several of them below.
It’s very important to understand how the cost of living is going to affect you when you move to one of these states. We’ll talk about stuff like average housing costs, renting costs, and insurance costs in each area.
Utah
Utah is known for having a strong Mormon faith amongst its citizens, and good snow for skiing during the winter. It also has some of the best job growth in the country. If you’re going to move to Utah, you’re looking at a steep price for a house. Utah has the 10th highest median home value in the country.
You could consider renting an apartment in Utah if you don’t have enough money to buy a house. The average cost of rent in Utah is just over $1,000. This is lower than the national average of $1,326 monthly. Renters insurance in Utah can be bought from companies like State Farm and Nationwide for under $130 monthly.
You should always get renters insurance to prevent losses due to theft, vandalism, or other damage to your apartment. In a state like Utah, renters insurance is actually decently affordable so there’s no reason to wait.
Other expenses to note include the price of gasoline in Utah. The state ranks 11th right now in average gas prices, so it’s very expensive to drive in Utah. Think about taking public transportation or walking to your destination if you live close by. A large number of job opportunities in the state should also mean you can find a remote job and not drive to work.
Colorado
Colorado is one of the most popular destinations in the world right now, mainly because of its cost of living in comparison to other states in the western part of the U.S. Many technology jobs are moving to Colorado, and the progressive politics in the state encourage young people to check it out.
You have to like the snow in Colorado. Consider buying a snow blower so you can more easily get out of your home each morning before work or school. The good news is that Colorado has some of the most beautiful sun-filled summers in the country. If you can make it through the winter, the rest of the seasons should be a breeze.
Driving in Colorado is sort of a mixed bag. The cost of gas is right in the middle at 24th out of 50 states. The price of auto insurance is $248 higher than the national average. This might partially be because of the amount of snow on the roads in the winter. Try to drive carefully to keep your auto insurance rates lower in Colorado.
Colorado is the fourth most expensive state to buy a home in right now in the U.S. This is on par with a lot of the other states in this part of the country. Consider renting an apartment or living with a roommate to take some of the heavy lifting off your shoulders.
Massachusetts
The state known for winning sports championships and prestigious colleges like Harvard is also experiencing massive job growth. The cost of living in Massachusetts is high, though. The median cost of a house in the state is the third highest in the country right now. Homeowners insurance is also going to be expensive due to the fancy houses you purchase.
Fortunately, the cost of gas in Massachusetts is only 32nd right now out of 50 states. This makes traveling a lot less stressful on your wallet. The cost of auto insurance is also nearly $500 less per year than the national average. Driving in Massachusetts is an overall much more pleasing experience than in other states on this list.
Massachusetts is also a very prosperous state with progressive social values and tourist attractions. With great diversity and acceptance towards the LGBTQ+ community and non-White racial minorities, Massachusetts is a great place to live right now in the U.S.
Idaho
Idaho is experiencing massive population growth right now because of the job opportunities in the region and the low cost of living. This makes the state one of the best places to live in the country no matter what metric you’re using to determine its validity.
Idaho ranks 21st in median home price right now, putting it right in the middle of the pack. This also ranks lower than the other four states on this list, making Idaho the most cost-efficient state for buying a home amongst states with large job growth.
Idaho also rates very high compared to other states with great options for condominiums. The expenses are low and the properties are quite beautiful to live on. Idaho has a lot of great natural areas with hiking trails, hunting areas, and other scenic routes to drive through.
Unfortunately, driving in the state is very expensive right now, as Idaho ranks eighth in average gas prices around the country. The decent weather is a great encouraging factor in deciding to find an alternative way to get around though.
Virginia
Virginia ranks 12th overall in median home price, making it more affordable than Colorado, Massachusetts, and Utah. If you want to live on the East Coast and can’t afford New York or Massachusetts, Virginia might be a good runner-up option for your family.
The average cost of gas in the state is only 35th out of 50 states. Virginia is also one of the only states in the country that doesn’t require you to purchase minimum liability auto insurance coverage. This means if you really can’t afford auto insurance, it’s not illegal to skip out on it. You’ll be out a lot of money if you ever get into an accident, though.
You can see all of these states have pros and cons to living in them. You have to take into consideration things like gas prices, auto insurance costs, the median price of a home, and more before you jump into a new career in these regions.
Author
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, Clearsurance.com. He wants to educate people on expenses around the U.S. right now.