While most teachers love what they do, they’re also paid less and spend their own money to help purchase classroom essentials. Many teachers want to live somewhere that pays them more and costs less. Here are the five best places for teachers to live.
Teaching is a profession that’s more than just a job for those who do it. It’s not the same as clocking in and clocking out. Teachers take stress home with them and pay for supplies out of their own checks.
The insufficient pay that teachers receive throughout the country coupled with high costs of living have forced many teachers to make a difficult decision. Either quit doing what they love or find a more sustainable place to do it.
If you’ve found yourself forced to make this choice and are more inclined to find somewhere you can continue teaching, then you’re in luck. There are still places in the United States where teachers love what they do, get paid a fair wage, and experience lower costs of living to help balance it all out.
Once you find a place you’d like to call home, work with a real estate agent who has local expertise so you have a guide to help you through the home buying process.
Here are the five best places for teachers to live.
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Find cities with affordable costs of living and high wages.
Solon, OH
Solon City School District in Solon, Ohio is a top rated district that offers competitive pay and a stimulating curriculum. The average teacher salary in this district is $91,000, and the student-teacher ratio is 18:1.
Solon City School District has 4,589 students. According to state testing, 92% of the students in this district are proficient in reading while 95% are proficient in math. The average graduation rate is 99%, and 61% of the educational budget goes toward instruction. Another 32% is spent on support staff.
The average expenditure per student is $14,941, which is above the national average of $12,239.
Students and teachers alike agree that the district is competitive, challenging, diverse, and offers excellent college preparatory help.
Jericho, NY
Jericho Union Free School District is rated the number one safest school district in New York by Niche. The average teacher salary in this district is $131,184, and the student-teacher ratio is an impressive 9:1.
According to state testing, 85% of the students show reading proficiency and 89% show proficiency in math. The graduation rate is 98%.
There are 3,021 students in this district. About 69% of the education budget is spent on instruction and 31% is spent on support services. The average expenditure per student is $37,027, over three times the national average.
Most teachers find the Jericho Union Free School District to be supportive and positive with challenging academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and beautiful schools.
Carmel, CA
Carmel Unified School District offers their teachers an average salary of $117,302 and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, right at the national average. About 81% of students are proficient in reading while 69% are proficient in math. The graduation rate is 97%.
The Carmel Unified School District has 2,509 students. About 59% of the education budget is spent on instruction, while around 39% is spent on support services. The average expenditure per student is $20,502.
Among the benefits of this school district are the beautiful campuses, challenging curriculum, diverse and accepting environment, and hard-working students.
Mercedes, TX
South Texas Independent School District in Mercedes, Texas offers their teachers $48,846 on average. While this might seem low compared to some other districts on the list, the cost of living in Mercedes is also low.
The student-teacher ratio in this district is about 13:1. State tests show that 91% of students are proficient in reading while 96% are proficient in math. The graduation rate is 99%. There are 3,848 students in the South Texas Independent School District. About 53% of the education budget goes toward instruction while 44% goes toward support services.
The average expenditure per student is $18,263, which is comfortably above the national average.
Reviews by students, parents, and teachers all state that this school district is like a second home to them. They talk about the way the district feels like a second home, that it’s safe and supportive, that there are outstanding opportunities for academic and extracurricular development, and that the community is supportive and familial.
New Hyde Park, NY
In the Herricks Union Free School District, the average teacher earns $116,324. There’s a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, and state tests show that 77% of students are proficient in reading while 83% are proficient in math.
The average graduation rate is 97%, and the district currently has 3,866 students.
About 67% of the education budget goes to instruction while 32% goes toward support services. The average expenditure per student is over double the national average, sitting at $27,086.
This district offers supportive, caring teachers, a tight-knit community, challenging programs for academics, the arts, and sports, and a positive overall experience for parents, students, and teachers alike.
Skokie, IL
Skokie, Illinois is home to the Niles Township Community High School District. The average teacher in this district earns $96,028 with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. While the graduation rate is 93%, testing shows that 56% of the students are proficient in reading and 51% are proficient in math.
There are 4,632 students in the district. About 61% of the education budget is devoted to instruction while 39% is devoted to support services. The average expenditure per student is $33,456.
While this district is often described as safe, supportive, and challenging, with great programs for both academics and extracurricular activities, it’s also acknowledged that more teachers are needed who can help raise test scores.
If you’re a teacher who enjoys decent pay, a supportive environment, and the opportunity to help foster improvements, you’ll love this location.
Making the Move
It’s hard to quantify the most rewarding aspects of teaching. However, based on the aspects that can be quantified, these cities and their related school districts are among the best options for teachers.
Once you know where you’d like to find a home, be sure to partner with a local, experienced real estate agent who can help guide you through the home buying process. They’ll work with you to find a beautiful home that meets your needs and your budget.
Clever Partner Agents are top-rated agents in their local markets and offer full-service support. In states that allow it, Clever buyers who spend at least $150,000 can get 0.5% of the purchase price after closing.
Contact Clever and we’ll introduce you to a Partner Agent in your area of choice for a no-obligation consultation whenever you’re ready.
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