MoneyRates.com conducted a study that detailed the most difficult states (and best) in which to make a living. You may have a higher salary in one state than another but find your standard of living much lower. And guess what? California is the 4th worst state in which to make a living.

The Chronicle reports that:

The point of the study was to look past unemployment rates to the amount the average worker makes, and then adjust for food costs, state taxes, basic services, and other essential and unavoidable expenditures in each state. Thus, in an expensive state, a higher salary gets eaten up more quickly than in a cheaper state. It’s not rocket science, but from this science emerges a better picture of how far a dollar earned will go.

The best state in which to make a living? Illinois. And the very worst? Hawaii. Yeah – but at least you’re living in paradise.

For the full list, go here.

• Tag: california, Hawaii, Illinois, Money, salaries, standard of living, surveys