Gen Z workers in these 10 states are struggling to make a living

Young talent definitely doesn't have it easy when it comes to finding affordable locations to kick-start their careers. But in some states, the wage discrepancy is making it harder than it needs to be. 

On average, Gen Z employees are only earning approximately $1,600 more than they need to cover their basic expenses, according to tech company Hostinger. But in certain states, employees are running at a deficit, instead. The platform recently analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the average salary in each state filtered by age, and compared it to the current living wage in each area in an effort to reveal where Gen Z is experiencing the most significant discrepancy. 

"It's concerning to see such a vast discrepancy in the ease of earning a sufficient salary from state to state, as it'll deter much-needed young talent from moving to the expensive areas," said a spokesperson from Hostinger in the release. "It makes sense that there's been a huge rise in interest in a side hustle of late, given summer is generally an expensive time of year — particularly for the Gen Zers who are frustrated that they can't afford to cover their expenses easily, even without having children."

Read more: 10 states with the best work-life balance

New York came in first place as the most unsustainable city for young talent. The typical New York renter or homeowner aged 25 and under makes $39,366 a year, according to Hostinger, which is 14% less than the amount needed to earn a living in the state. The same goes for Gen Z talent living in Alabama, which, despite not being a metropolitan area, is comparable to New York's shortfall: Gen Z workers currently make $6,000 less yearly than they need in order to earn the state's living wage of $33,000.

This contrasts sharply with states like New Hampshire, which was found to be one of the most sustainable states for Gen Z where the typical homeowner or renter under 25 makes approximately $52,000 per year — $16,000 more than they need to get by in the state. 

See what other states qualified in Hostinger's ranking of most unsustainable states for young talent: