Cost Of Living By State

Last updated May 23, 2025

Cost of Living Index
Top
Last
Cost of Living IndexQuestion Mark
1HawaiiHawaii184
2MassachusettsMassachusetts149.7
3CaliforniaCalifornia137.6
4New YorkNew York134.5
5AlaskaAlaska126.6
6MarylandMaryland124
7OregonOregon121.2
8ConnecticutConnecticut116.8
9New HampshireNew Hampshire116.1
10VermontVermont115.9
11MaineMaine115.3
12WashingtonWashington114.2
13Rhode IslandRhode Island112.9
14New JerseyNew Jersey112.4
15ArizonaArizona105.8
16DelawareDelaware105.6
17MontanaMontana104.8
18ColoradoColorado104.6
19NevadaNevada103.2
20VirginiaVirginia102.8
20UtahUtah102.8
20FloridaFlorida102.8
23IdahoIdaho99.6
24PennsylvaniaPennsylvania98.2
25MinnesotaMinnesota97.5
26North DakotaNorth Dakota97.1
27North CarolinaNorth Carolina95.7
28WisconsinWisconsin95.5
29KentuckyKentucky94.9
30South DakotaSouth Dakota94.5
31South CarolinaSouth Carolina94.3
32New MexicoNew Mexico94
33LouisianaLouisiana93.6
34IllinoisIllinois92.6
35TexasTexas92.5
35WyomingWyoming92.5
37MichiganMichigan92.2
38NebraskaNebraska91.9
38OhioOhio91.9
40ArkansasArkansas90.6
41TennesseeTennessee90.2
42West VirginiaWest Virginia90
43IndianaIndiana89.9
44IowaIowa89.2
45MissouriMissouri89.1
46GeorgiaGeorgia88.6
47AlabamaAlabama88.1
48KansasKansas87.5
49OklahomaOklahoma85.8
50MississippiMississippi85

Introduction

Achieving economic success and overall well-being of individuals and families is inherently linked to the cost of living, which varies significantly across the United States. The elements that constitute this cost—housing, food, healthcare, and transportation—not only quantify the economic necessities of daily life, but also serve as an indicator of the quality of life. With diverse economic structures, geographical elements and local policies, each state poses a distinctive cost of living scenario.

  • States with the highest cost of living are mostly found on the coasts, with Hawaii (184), Massachusetts (149.7), California (137.6), and New York (134.5) leading the way. This pattern might be linked to several factors, including higher property and living costs, lucrative job markets, economic opportunities, and denser populations.
  • Various states in the southern and mid-west regions, including Mississippi (85), Oklahoma (85.8), and Kansas (87.5), are noted for lower costs of living. Lower housing costs contribute heavily to these lower figures.
  • Nevada (103.2), Florida (102.8), and Utah (102.8), located in different geographical regions, have similar cost of living indexes, just slightly above the national average.
  • Alaska (126.6) stands out as the only state in the northwest with a high cost of living index. This is possibly due to its remote and extreme location raising the costs of goods and services.

States with the Highest Cost of Living

Leading this list is Hawaii, presenting an astonishing cost of living index of 184, which is nearly twice the national average. The high cost of living here can be attributed to factors such as expensive real estate and the high cost of imported goods. Not far behind is Massachusetts with a cost of living index of 149.7. The state's strong economy supported by sectors such as biotechnology, healthcare, finance, and higher education justifies this high index. California earns third place with a cost of living index of 137.6, majorly driven by the colossal costs linked to housing, especially in regions like Silicon Valley and San Francisco. New York, with a cost of index of 134.5, hinges its high cost of living on factors such as considerable housing costs, particularly in New York City, and high taxes. Alaska, the only non-coastal state in the top 5, holds a cost index of 126.6. Its remote location and the costs associated with bringing goods and services into the state contribute to its expensive living conditions. Other states rounding out the top 10 with high costs of living include Maryland (124), Oregon (121.2), Connecticut (116.8), New Hampshire (116.1), and Vermont (115.9). Factors such as high housing costs, expensive healthcare, and high taxes significantly contribute to their higher cost of living indexes. States with the Highest Cost of Living:

  1. Hawaii - 184
  2. Massachusetts - 149.7
  3. California - 137.6
  4. New York - 134.5
  5. Alaska - 126.6
  6. Maryland - 124
  7. Oregon - 121.2
  8. Connecticut - 116.8
  9. New Hampshire - 116.1
  10. Vermont - 115.9
Keep reading

Additional Rankings

Cost of Insulin By Country
Prices
Countries

Cost of Insulin By Country

Cotton Production by Country
Agriculture
Countries

Cotton Production by Country

Countries By Sex Ratio
Demographics
Countries

Countries By Sex Ratio

Countries Currently At War
Military
Countries

Countries Currently At War

Countries Where Porn Is Illegal
Legality
Countries

Countries Where Porn Is Illegal

Countries Where Prostitution Is Legal
Legality
Countries

Countries Where Prostitution Is Legal