How Much Do You Need to Earn to Be Happy in Your State?

Happiness is always relative, but the last we heard, $75,000 was the optimal salary people need to make to be satisfied with their lot in life — no more, no less.

Of course, you may argue that this "rule" can't apply to everyone. After all, there's a different cost of living depending on where you live. Here's how much you need to be happy in the state you live in, according to data from Council for Community & Economic Research.

  • Mississippi: $65,850
  • Tennessee: $67,275
  • Kentucky: $67,500
  • Oklahoma: $67,800
  • Indiana: $68,025
  • Kansas: $68,475
  • Nebraska: $68,775
  • Alabama: $69,300
  • Iowa: $69,375
  • Arkansas: $69,375
  • Georgia: $69,575
  • Texas: $69,600
  • Utah: $69,750
  • Wyoming: $69,900
  • New Mexico: $70,050
  • Missouri: $70,275
  • Michigan: $70,425
  • Ohio: $70,575
  • Idaho: $70,650
  • Louisiana: $71,475
  • Illinois: $71, 625
  • South Carolina: $72, 075
  • Virgina: $72,750
  • North Carolina: $73,350
  • South Dakota: $73,725
  • West Virginia: $73,950
  • Montana: $73, 950
  • Wisconsin: $74,100
  • Florida: $74,775
  • Benchmark: $75,000
  • Nevada: $75,150
  • North Dakota: $75,300
  • Colorado: $75,300
  • Pennslyvania: $76,200
  • Minnesota: $76,350
  • Arizona: $76,350
  • Washington: $76,950
  • Delaware: $79, 275
  • Maine: $82,275
  • New Hampshire: $87,075
  • Vermont: $87,900
  • Maryland: $88,275
  • Rhode Island: $90,675
  • Massachusetts: $90,975
  • Oregon: $91,275
  • Connecticut: $93,900
  • California: $95,325
  • New Jersey: $95,700
  • Alaska: $98,850
  • New York: $99,150
  • District of Columbia: $104,700
  • Hawaii: $122,175