Growth Slows in California

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by mateo45

No matter how you look at it, poverty rates, slower growth, more millionaires, "illegals"", whatever.... much of this just comes down to the fact that this is becoming an increasingly expensive state to live in, because basically it's the Riviera of the U.S. So the days of anyone just packing up their bags and ''moving to California'' are over... unless they also have some employable skills and can afford to live here.

Or move to the non-Riveria parts.

[Mr. Loco]

My native friends are struggling here in SD. It's a hard economy, seems to be getting worse.

[sequoias]

Originally Posted by oldtrader

You are undoubtedly talking about per capita income. But there are other factors to consider, and incomes need adjusted for cost of living and taxes. Then it is another story altogether.

You are only looking at part of the picture. It is not the amount of the pay check, but what the paycheck will buy for the typical person.

10 Best & Worst States to Make a Living - CBS News

California is considered one of the worst states to make a living rating at 7th worst in the Nation. My state of Montana, is about $200 less per year than in California. This is largely because we have less than 1,000,000 people in the state and there are 7 large Indian reservations in the state some as large as small states, where there is heavy poverty and low wages. Problem, the Indians and the State want to make changes there, but the Feds that control the reservations don't want to give up control (meaning their jobs) and let jobs be created there. They put up every road block they can to keep it from happening.

Compare household incomes by state when just adjusting for cost of living, you find that California is just a run of the mill state income wise.

GeoCommons

Right to work states have higher incomes

Right-to-Work States Have Higher Incomes [Mackinac Center]

Right To Work States Have Lower Unemployment, Higher Income and Healthcare Coverage, NRTW President Says | CNS News

Real Earnings Higher In Right to Work States

Blue states hardest hit

The Blue-State Suicide Pact - Forbes

My daughter had offers to move to Montana, and gets Silicon Valley wages here. She also could have returned to the area where she was raised, Cupertino California with several offers.

Compare the incomes both places adjusted for cost of living.

Here in Montana with over $125,000 per year salary, would require $267,500+ at her old home town to equal her income here when adjusted for cost of living. Example housing cost is considered to be 525% higher there than here. Utilities over 40% higher there and as she has her own well and irrigation water rights she has very little cost for water and sufficient water for irrigation on 5 acres for only low pump costs as the well hits water at 35 feet.

I can believe that because WA state has the highest minimum wage in the US so basically ranks 2nd with the best place to make a living.