If you have been considering pursuing a career in logistics management, you’re likely drawn to the career path because of its stability and longevity. After all, there is likely to be a need for logisticians for a long time to come, even as technological developments threaten many jobs related to manufacturing and distribution.
For those who seek a reliable income and a sustainable career path, one traditional benchmark of success is the ability to buy a home. Indeed, once upon a time, homeownership was a hallmark of the American middle class experience, reflecting the country’s prosperity and the availability of well-paying jobs in a variety of sectors.
Today, the picture is not so simple. Over the past several decades, the boom in the housing market has put the cost of homes out of reach for many working Americans, even in places that were previously known as affordable places to settle for the long term. Sadly, as the costs associated with buying a home have risen, salaries have not, meaning those who had longed to become homeowners may struggle to realize their goals.
If you are a logistics manager, your goal of becoming a homeowner is achievable. How much house you can afford is all a question of where you choose to establish your roots.
This is no simple process. In fact, these considerations are worth mulling over at the outset of your career, as you will have to put in the work to achieve your goal. This means evaluating your specific goals and priorities, and conversely, the compromises you may have to make in order to pull off a home purchase.
Location – the main focus of this article – is one such consideration. As you will see, home prices vary dramatically throughout the country, due to a variety of factors including geography, industries with prosperous opportunities, state policies and tax laws, and more.
This article provides a complete list of rankings of every state in the country to determine the best states for logistics management workers to buy homes. Providing the median annual salary for logistics managers in each state as well as the typical home price in each location, it will provide you the comprehensive information you need to make your homeowner dreams a reality.
Assessing the Current State of the Housing Market
It’s no secret that in the 21st century, American home values have risen at a rate that many cannot keep up with. Even those with stable, long-lasting careers have found that their incomes are not sufficient to meet the needs of homeownership where they live. There are numerous factors behind this, including:
- Growing populations in urban sectors all over the country, making real estate more competitive to secure
- Increased speculation by investors and developers that have raised the cost of homes
- Relocations during the Covid-19 pandemic that brought up home values in places that had previously not been so popular
Indeed, Zillow reports that the average American home value in 2023 is $348,853, a number that is likely to feel beyond the capacity of many. This is an increase of 1.2% nationwide since last year, a rapid rate made even more daunting by the decade-plus of growth that has proceeded it. These rising prices have meant that homeownership is not a viable option for many American citizens, even those who earn salaries that were previously considered desirable. As cost of living expenses continue to increase, many feel that buying a home is off the table.
The way many are approaching the dilemma is by keeping their options open, monitoring the cost of buying a home on a state by state basis. There are some places in the country where home values are still considerably lower than others, laying out the foundations to make home ownership a more attainable goal for those who are willing to put in the work.
Buying a House on a Logistics Professional Salary
Here’s the good news first: logistics managers are likely to have ample job opportunities, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a projected 28% growth rate for logisticians by 2031. This number is significantly higher than the overall average, which falls at around 5% for typical jobs.
One of the best reasons to become a logistics manager is that it is likely to provide reliable work opportunities for a long time to come.
That said, there are few places where median salaries for logistics professionals are high enough that home ownership is a certainty. This means that making long-term plans will very likely be the way to achieve your goal. By budgeting carefully and saving up over time, logisticians can work toward achieving the dream of home ownership.
When considering locations, in addition to typical home values and median logistician salaries, it’s also worth thinking about the places where the highest number of employment opportunities are available. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the states with the top five highest employment levels of logisticians are California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Georgia. The top industries for logistics managers, meanwhile, are the Federal Executive Branch, management of companies and enterprises, scientific and technical consulting services, aerospace products and parts manufacturing, and freight transportation arrangements.
Keep these industries and figures in mind as you determine which state is best for you to launch your career and work toward buying a home. Everyone has different specific needs, so be sure to assess your unique priorities, goals, and habits in choosing the best state for you.
Refining Your Search: The Top-Paying Industries for Logistics Managers
The previous section of this article provides a list of the states and industries with the most job opportunities for logisticians. However, it may also be worth knowing which industries pay the most to those in these positions. It’s important to note that in many cases, there may be considerably fewer job opportunities than in more popular industries for logistics professionals. That said, it could be a shrewd and remunerative move to specialize your skills and focus your efforts on an industry that is more likely to pay you highly.
The BLS reports that the following industries are the highest-paying employers of logisticians:
- Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities
- Oil and Gas Extraction
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
- Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
- Natural Gas Distribution
If homeownership is a primary goal of yours, choosing one of these industries to lay the groundwork for your career may be the best step you can take toward ensuring that you will be able to buy a home on a logistics manager salary.
State-by-State Rankings of Home Prices and Logistics Manager Salaries
The following list is an index of the top locations in the country to buy a home, designed specifically to help logistics managers and related professionals figure out the best places to lay out their career foundations. To create these rankings, we subtracted the median logistician salary from the typical home value in each state. Those with the smallest difference rank among the best states to buy a home, while those with the largest discrepancy will be the most challenging places to find affordable options as a logistics manager.
Read on to learn more about where each state stands so that you can get the most out of your career while realizing your homeowner dreams.
To establish this ranking, we compared the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2022 state median salary data for logisticians to Zillow’s typical home value in each state. BLS data accessed August 2023. Zillow’s data was published in January 2023, accessed August 2023.
Home value increase rates are taken from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
51. Hawaii
Typical home value: $837,324
Median logistics manager salary: $89,170
Though its median salaries for logistics management positions ranks among the top ten in the U.S., the exorbitant value of Hawaii homes makes it an extremely difficult place to become a homeowner. Further, house prices are only on the rise in the state, having risen at a rate of 53.28% in the past five years.
50. California
Typical home value: $743,361
Median logistics manager salary: $83,210
The Golden State is another place that may fall beyond reach for those earning the income of a logistics manager. Home values have long been skyrocketing in California, with the already-high cost of houses continuing to grow at a rate of 45.54% in the past five years.
49. District of Columbia - Washington, D.C.
Typical home value: $624,078
Median logistics manager salary: $105,250
Washington, D.C. boasts the highest annual salaries for logistics management professionals, but it may still be hard for you to become a homeowner in our nation’s capital, which is one of the most expensive places in the country to buy a home. Though home values are growing at a far lesser rate than others in the country, that isn’t saying much – in the past five years, house prices have increased at a rate of 22.76%.
48. Massachusetts
Typical home value: $587,874
Median logistics manager salary: $79,990
Massachusetts is another one of the most expensive states to buy a home in the United States, but its salaries for logistics management positions do not rank among the country’s top ten. This means it would be a difficult place to become a homeowner. Unfortunately, its price increases are showing no signs of slowing down, having risen at a rate of 50.65% in the last five years.
47. Washington
Typical home value: $577,352
Median logistics manager salary: $87,610
There are many great reasons to move to the West Coast, but affordable property isn’t one of them. Washington is another one of the country’s most expensive states to buy a house, with home values growing at a staggering rate of 58.64% in the past five years. That said, logistics manager salaries in the state rank in the top ten nationwide.
46. Colorado
Typical home value: $543,142
Median logistics manager salary: $81,330
The beautiful state of Colorado has been discovered by the real estate market, quickly making it a popular place for prospective homeowners. Unfortunately, its rapidly rising home values will be difficult to afford on a logistics manager’s salary. Home values dipped by 1.07% in the last year, but its overall trend in the long term is of massive value growth.
45. Utah
Typical home value: $510,933
Median logistics manager salary: $78,390
Home values in Utah have soared in the last five years, ballooning at a rate of 71.87%. This has put it out of reach for many who would have hoped to buy homes in the Beehive State. Salaries for logistics managers and logisticians fall within the middle of nationwide rankings.
44. Oregon
Typical home value: $498,557
Median logistics manager salary: $75,950
Like its neighboring states on the Pacific Coast, Oregon homes are pricey and only getting pricier, having grown at a rate of 48.22% in the past five years alone. Logistics managers do not earn salaries that would make homeownership easy in the state.
43. New Jersey
Typical home value: $484,466
Median logistics manager salary: $90,530
Good news first: New Jersey’s median logistics manager salaries are in the top five nationwide, which could be a good incentive to move to the state to establish your career. However, the high cost of homes in the state means you may need to commit to renting in the long term, as that way you will be more likely to make the most of your high income.
42. Idaho
Typical home value: $442,819
Median logistics manager salary: $49,110
Out of all fifty states as well as Washington D.C., there is no region in the country where home values have risen more quickly in recent years than Idaho. The state has seen a whopping 97.98% increase in house prices in the past five years alone, which is great news for those who already owned property there but bad news for those who are looking to purchase. Further, Idaho’s median salary for logistics managers is the very lowest in the country, making it an especially raw deal for logisticians based in the state.
41. Montana
Typical home value: $446,601
Median logistics manager salary: $67,620
Montana is another state that has seen a tremendous increase in home values over the past five years, rising at a rate of 74.03%. Indeed, the rising cost of living in the state has transformed its national standing, leading it quickly to become one of the country’s more expensive states to buy a home.
40. New Hampshire
Typical home value: $446,838
Median logistics manager salary: $80,870
Salaries for logistics managers in New Hampshire are decent, ranking in the top third nationwide. However, home values are rising rapidly in the state, with the Federal Housing Finance Agency reporting a 67.12% increase over the past five years. In light of already-high prices of homes in the state, this means becoming a homeowner is very difficult for those earning a logistics manager’s income.
39. New York
Typical home value: $441,462
Median logistics manager salary: $80,150
Though there are many great reasons to move to the Empire State, buying a home shouldn’t be high on that list. New York has long been home to some of the country’s highest-priced houses, a story that is not changing anytime soon. Prices of houses in New York have risen at a rate of 48.7% in the past five years.
38. Rhode Island
Typical home value: $432,888
Median logistics manager salary: $73,510
The small state of Rhode Island is another of the country’s most expensive places to buy a home, and unfortunately, its salaries for logistics managers are in the bottom half of all states. This means that those pursuing logistician careers will have better luck becoming homeowners in other states.
37. Arizona
Typical home value: $420,493
Median logistics manager salary: $67,500
Arizona’s growth rate for home prices is among the fastest in the nation, spiking at a rate of 76.51% over the past five years alone. This puts its already high home values out of reach for many, especially those in logistics management positions, whose median salaries fall in the bottom ten nationwide.
36. Nevada
Typical home value: $416,340
Median logistics manager salary: $67,050
Like Arizona, Nevada’s median salaries for logistics management positions falls in the bottom ten of all states in the country. This means it is not an optimal place to go if homeownership is your goal. Its growth rate, exorbitant by most metrics, falls within the middle of national averages, rising at a rate of 56.58% in the past five years.
35. Florida
Typical home value: $390,856
Median logistics manager salary: $62,460
If Florida was once an appealing state to pursue the dream of buying a home on a middle-class salary, those days are quickly receding. The state’s home values have ballooned by 81.3% over the past five years, quickly pricing out many who would have hoped to settle there. Paired with its exceptionally low salaries for logistics personnel (which fall in the bottom five nationally), this is not an ideal state for logisticians to buy homes.
34. Maryland
Typical home value: $405,562
Median logistics manager salary: $96,710
Maryland’s logistics management salaries are the second highest in the country, which is one great reason to pursue a logistician career in the Old Line State. However, the costs of buying a home in the state are high. Having risen by 35.17% in the past five years, home values are growing comparatively slowly, but that is still a significant amount from a buyer’s perspective, meaning it is probably best to look elsewhere to settle in the long term.
33. Vermont
Typical home value: $380,265
Median logistics manager salary: $77,880
Many are drawn to Vermont’s beautiful pastoral lifestyle, but unfortunately, it comes at a high cost. Home values in the state are high and rising quickly, having grown by 8.82% in the last year alone. With middling salaries for logistics and supply chain management jobs, it may not be the ideal place for you to purchase a home.
32. Maine
Typical home value: $383,137
Median logistics manager salary: $82,460
Maine’s home values have skyrocketed in the past five years, swelling by 76.41%. Though logistics managers’ salaries here are in the top ten nationally, it would still be difficult to afford houses here due to their already high prices.
31. Connecticut
Typical home value: $374,598
Median logistics manager salary: $75,600
There is a great disparity in home values in the state of Connecticut, which boasts some of the country’s most expensive zip codes as well as cities that are significantly more affordable. However, overall, prices are still higher here than many other states, and their salaries for logisticians are in the bottom half of the nationwide list.
30. Virginia
Typical home value: $371,623
Median logistics manager salary: $80,180
Virginia’s home values are significantly lower than neighboring D.C., but unfortunately, they still may be out of the range that logistics managers in the state can afford. Its median salaries for logisticians, while decent, will not take you very far in a state with such high house prices.
29. Delaware
Typical home value: $370,404
Median logistics manager salary: $94,950
Delaware’s salaries for logistics managers are exceptional, ranking #3 in the country. This makes it a good place to establish one’s career as a logistician. However, its baseline home prices are quite high, meaning it may still be difficult to take the major leap into homeownership in the Diamond State.
28. Alaska
Typical home value: $351,217
Median logistics manager salary: $80,180
Alaska’s home values and logistics manager salaries both fall around the high middle of nationwide rankings. This means it’s simply too expensive of a state for most logisticians to be able to pursue homeownership. That said, the growth rate of home values in the state over the past five years has been relatively low (35.5% – again, it’s all relative), meaning houses are not moving as quickly out of reach as in many other places.
27. Wyoming
Typical home value: $338,216
Median logistics manager salary: $79,440
You might have to wait for your next trip to Yellowstone to appreciate the grand state of Wyoming, as its salaries for logistics managers are less than exceptional and its home values are fairly high. Growing at a rate of 51.57% in the past five years, they are showing no signs of becoming more affordable anytime soon.
26. Minnesota
Typical home value: $331,190
Median logistics manager salary: $76,280
If Midwestern life is what you’re after, you may have better luck outside of Minnesota, where median logistics manager salaries are in the bottom half nationwide and home values are relatively high for the region. Prices have increased by 41.7% in the past five years, which is lower than many other states but still a breakneck speed.
25. North Carolina
Typical home value: $320,096
Median logistics manager salary: $68,410
Unfortunately, North Carolina’s salaries for logisticians are in the bottom third nationally, though its home values are more approachable than many other states. However, the state is another of the country’s most popular for property investment at the moment, with prices having risen by 75.5% in the past five years.
24. Tennessee
Typical home value: $311,628
Median logistics manager salary: $63,650
Let’s start with the bottom line: Tennessee’s salaries for logistics managers are in the bottom ten nationally. This is bad news for logisticians who hope to work in the state, let alone purchase homes there. Further, Tennessee’s home prices are the third-fastest growing in the country, having risen by a whopping 78.18% in the past five years.
23. Georgia
Typical home value: $318,918
Median logistics manager salary: $73,390
If the Peach State appeals to you as a place to lay your roots, it may be feasible, though it will be difficult. Logistics manager salaries are in the middle of the national list, and home values, though relatively accessible, are growing very quickly, having spiked by 69.87% in the past five years. If you have the means to pursue homeownership today, now is the time to act.
22. South Dakota
Typical home value: $296,108
Median logistics manager salary: $62,330
Home values in South Dakota are much lower than many other parts of the country, but unfortunately, so are its salaries for logistics professionals, ranking in the bottom five nationally. This makes it a less than ideal place for logisticians to seek homes.
21. Texas
Typical home value: $303,971
Median logistics manager salary: $74,280
It won’t necessarily be easy to purchase a home on a logistics manager’s salary in Texas, but it might be possible. Home values in the state are in the bottom half of national averages. That said, salaries for logistics managers in the Lone Star State are middling, meaning becoming a homeowner will require significant effort and no small amount of good luck.
20. South Carolina
Typical home value: $288,815
Median logistics manager salary: $72,420
South Carolina home values are relatively low, though they are ballooning quickly (at a rate of 70.84% in the past five years). With mid-level logistics manager salaries, the state may provide opportunities for homeownership, but one will have to act fast before prices become unattainable.
19. Wisconsin
Typical home value: $285,036
Median logistics manager salary: $69,790
Though its logistics manager salaries are among the lowest in the country, Wisconsin’s homes are relatively well-priced, making it a fairly reasonable choice to pursue homeownership. Now is the time to make moves if you can, as home values increased by a rate of 56.85% in the past five years.
18. New Mexico
Typical home value: $292,821
Median logistics manager salary: $78,990
With lower-than-average home values and decent salaries for logistics professionals, New Mexico is a decent choice of residence for those who wish to become homeowners. However, home values are rising quickly, with the FHFA reporting a value increase of 7.22% in the last year alone.
17. Illinois
Typical home value: $250,542
Median logistics manager salary: $65,030
Though Illinois’ median salaries for logistics workers is among the lowest in the country, its home values are also much lower than the national average, which is good news for those in the industry who are hoping to become homeowners. Further, the rate at which its home values are growing – 37.22% – is lower than in most other states, meaning you may still have a bit of time to realize your dream of homeownership.
16. North Dakota
Typical home value: $251,061
Median logistics manager salary: $67,920
Low home values in North Dakota rank the state highly on this list, despite the fact that salaries for logistics managers are in the bottom third nationally. Still, work opportunities in the state for logisticians may not be abundant, which is an important factor to take into account as you consider buying a home.
15. Nebraska
Typical home value: $251,061
Median logistics manager salary: $74,650
Nebraska offers relatively low home values and decent (mid-level) logistics manager salaries, meaning it could be a solid choice for those who are dead set on becoming homeowners. Home prices have risen at a rate of 51.94% in the last five years, so for those who can afford it, it’s a good idea to act soon.
14. Pennsylvania
Typical home value: $255,965
Median logistics manager salary: $78,540
There is a great disparity between home values in Pennsylvania’s urban centers in comparison with its smaller towns, but overall, house prices are lower in the Keystone State than many other places. With salaries for logistics managers falling a bit above the national average, this could be a good choice to seek a home.
13. Missouri
Typical home value: $238,055
Median logistics manager salary: $76,560
The Show Me State has lower than average property values, though they have risen by 55.60% in the past five years. Still, supply chain logisticians earn decent salaries in the state, meaning it is a reasonable place to consider becoming a homeowner.
12. Kansas
Typical home value: $215,641
Median logistics manager salary: $56,530
Kansas may offer the second lowest salaries for logistics management professionals in the country, but its home values are also significantly lower than many other states, placing it in the top third of our list for states to buy a home as a logistician. With dedication and a clear plan, you may be able to pull off the dream of homeownership in Sunflower State.
11. Indiana
Typical home value: $231,659
Median logistics manager salary: $72,560
Indiana’s home values are lower than many other states and its salaries for logistics managers is right around the middle of the nationwide list. This means it is a decent choice for logisticians to lay their career foundations with the eventual goal of homeownership. Home values have risen by a rate of 59.41% in the last five years, so it’s recommended to move quickly if you can.
10. Michigan
Typical home value: $235,360
Median logistics manager salary: $79,810
With higher-than-average salaries for logistics managers and home values significantly lower than the national average, Michigan could be a great choice of location for those who are certain they wish to purchase homes. Its rate of growth for home prices is about in line with the national average, with values having risen by 54.04% in the past five years.
9. Ohio
Typical home value: $218,666
Median logistics manager salary: $78,220
Ohio is another Midwestern state that may be an ideal place for logistics managers to work toward homeownership. This is due to its lower-than-average home values (though they grew by 56.41% in the past five years) and higher-than-average salaries for logisticians.
8. Louisiana
Typical home value: $200,369
Median logistics manager salary: $61,560
The median salary for logistics managers in Louisiana is one of the lowest in the country, but its home values are also exceptionally low, making it a good option to establish one’s roots. (Note: it is worth reviewing the environmental considerations Louisiana homeowners must consider, as the state has been home to numerous natural disasters in the past several decades.)
7. Kentucky
Typical home value: $200,954
Median logistics manager salary: $63,000
Like Louisiana, Kentucky is a Southern state that does not offer exceptional salaries for logistics management workers. However, its low home values may still be within reach at this level of income. Act quickly, because home values have risen by 53.73% in the past five years.
6. Arkansas
Typical home value: $199,636
Median logistics manager salary: $64,590
The biggest reason why Arkansas is ranked so highly on this list is its low home values, which are in the bottom five nationally. However, so are its salaries for its logistics managers. Given the low costs of living in the state, this still may be a feasible place for hopeful homeowners to settle.
5. Alabama
Typical home value: $223,246
Median logistics manager salary: $90,480
With home values that are much lower than national averages and salaries for logistics managers that rank in the top five nationally, Alabama is an excellent place to pursue the goal of homeownership if you are planning a career as a logistician. Home values are rising quickly – at a rate of 61.42% in the past five years – so act now if you can.
4. Iowa
Typical home value: $199,636
Median logistics manager salary: $80,220
Iowa has among the lowest home values in the country but offers solid salaries for those in logistics management positions. Further, home values are growing at a slightly slower rate than many other states (42.59% in the last five years). This means it is one of the very best places in the United States to pursue buying a home if you work in logistics.
3. Oklahoma
Typical home value: $198,935
Median logistics manager salary: $77,460
Oklahoma has exceptionally low home values – they are the third lowest in the country. Paired with its reasonable salaries for logistics managers, the Sooner State is one of the best options for logisticians making long-term plans to become homeowners. Still, don’t expect these low prices to last forever – home values in the state grown by 52.14% in the last five years.
2. Mississippi
Typical home value: $172,654
Median logistics manager salary: $70,300
Mississippi has the second most affordable homes in the country on average, a fact that should raise the attention of anyone hoping to become a homeowner in the US. Further, its decent salaries for logistics managers will go even further in the state due to its low cost of living. This makes the state one of the very best to purchase a home as a new buyer in 2023.
1. West Virginia
Typical home value: $155,773
Median logistics manager salary: $71,310
With the lowest home values in the country and salaries for logistics managers that fall right around the middle of national rankings, West Virginia is the very best state in the country to buy a home if you are earning a logistician’s income. Home values here are also growing slightly more slowly than in many other states, meaning you will not be as rushed to take the next steps. If you know that homeownership is a major goal of yours and are eager to lay down the foundations of a logistics management career, you won’t find a better place in the country to make your dreams a reality than the Mountain State.