The best and worst states to make a living in 2017

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Not all states are created equal when it comes to making a living. While your income might be greater in places like New York or California, high tax rates and cost of living can greatly affect your lifestyle.

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Personal finance site MoneyRates used several data sources, including the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, to determine the best and worst states for making a living in 2017. The ranking is based on five factors: average wages, state tax rates, cost of living, unemployment rates, and incidents of workplace injuries. (See the full list and methodology.)

Check out the best and worst states below:

Best Worst States 2017_map

Skye Gould/Business Insider

With no state-income tax and the fourth-highest median wage in the country, Washington took the No. 1 spot this year, beating out last year's winner, Wyoming.

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Best states 2017_list

Skye Gould/Business Insider

For the seventh year in a row, Hawaii was named the worst state to make a living for its 67% higher cost of living than the national average.

Worst states 2017_list

Skye Gould/Business Insider

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