Looking to relocate? Here are top 7 states to move to for work

This summer has left Minnesota feeling the acute effects of the labor shortage, with 23,450 more open positions than job seekers in June. Employers advertised a median salary of $45,696. While on the low side, it still pairs well with a cost of living just below the national average. Based on numbers from MIT's living wage calculator, this salary is more than enough to live off of as a single person supporting themselves or two adults working, with or without children. However, it's lower than the living wage for a single-income family.

Saint Paul and Minneapolis were among some of the cities with the largest population decline last year. The state's housing market is beginning to cool, meaning buyers may be better positioned in the coming months than they would have been last year. Growing areas in the state include the smaller cities of Lakeville and Woodbury.

Colorado is a unique case because some employers have left the state due to a new salary transparency law.

The state saw growth during COVID, gaining more than 27,000 new residents. Census data shows Colorado Springs, Aurora, Castle Rock, and Windsor saw the most growth from July 2020 to 2021.

In June 2022, the state had nearly 16,000 more jobs than people looking and advertised a higher median salary of $52,000 per year. Although Colorado does have a slightly higher cost of living than average, $52,000 is enough to live comfortably as a single person or part of a two-earner household, according to MIT's living wage calculator.

Colorado's largest need by far is in health care and social assistance jobs, which may be due in part to the sudden population growth during the pandemic. Jobs in administration and support and professional services are also in high demand.

A great option for those looking for less populated areas, Kansas' largest city is Wichita with a population of just under 400,000. If all job seekers were hired, Kansas would still need to fill more than 10,500 open positions. Employers are currently advertising a median salary of  $41,600 in one of the most affordable states in the country.

Kansas city's housing market is cooling but remains competitive. Reporting highlights the Topeka market is gaining, with many KC residents looking for homes in the area. Census data shows Olathe gained the most residents from July 2020 to 2021, followed by Lenexa.

The nation's capital is known for being densely populated with a high cost of living. However, census data shows D.C. also saw a big exodus during COVID, losing around 20,000 residents. The city was roughly 8,400 job seekers short of filling all open positions in June 2022. 

Employers are advertising a high median salary of just over $79,000 to match the high cost of living. The city's need for workers in professional, scientific, and technical services far outpaces any other labor shortages, which may represent a good opportunity for those in consulting, business, marketing, accounting, and other service areas.

The city's housing market has been cooling slowly, with reporters highlighting a slight dip in prices last month, although demand is still high. Prospective relocators would do well to keep an eye on housing costs in the area.

Virginia's population grew by about 10,000 from July 2020 to 2021, but the state is still seeking to fill 8,387 more jobs than it has job seekers. Job postings in June 2022 advertised a higher median salary of $52,000 while residents enjoy a cost of living close to the national average.

This East Coast state is known for its beaches, mountains, and picturesque seasons. It's also home to a number of strong colleges and universities. Census data shows Chesapeake, Suffolk, Blacksburg, and Hampton all saw population growth last year, while Alexandria, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach were among those that lost residents.

The Cornhusker State saw slight population growth from the summer of 2020 to 2021. Its largest city, Omaha, lost residents, while newcomers favored the state's capital of Lincoln and smaller towns like Kearney and Fremont.

The state is best known for its agriculture and is much more affordable than the national average. Job postings for the month of June show a deficit of nearly 6,000 workers. Although advertised salaries tend to be lower in the state, the median of $41,600 is enough to live comfortably as a single adult or one member of a two-earner household.

Nebraska's employment needs are focused in health care, social assistance, manufacturing, administration, and professional services.

With a low cost of living and 5,412 more open jobs than job seekers, Indiana is also a great option for those looking to relocate.

The state gained more than 20,000 residents in the first year and a half of the pandemic, according to census data. Following national trends, its largest city, Indianapolis, saw a drop in population while smaller cities like Westfield, Fort Wayne, and Fishers gained new residents.

Jobs in June 2022 advertised a low median salary of $42,176, but the state's cost of living is also far below the national average.