not sure but we know that wages go down in those states so that is peripheral point. what it does indicate is that RTW states have lower wages, which makes sense.
Wages go down. But, your dollar goes further in RTW states. That's why I mentioned the $4300 in purchasing power. Not to mention, many of these RTW states have NO STATE TAXES (i.e. Florida, Texas). So, more of that money is going in the pockets of the workers, instead of state governments' coffers.
That's why military members tend to either change their home of record to places like Texas or Florida, once they get stationed there. Or, if they are from those areas originally, they keep that state as their home of record. Even if they get stationed somewhere with high state taxes like Maryland or Connecticut, as long as a state like Texas or Florida is their home of record, their incomes aren't taxed at the rates of where their current duty stations are located.