Average Cost of Living by State (2026)
Compare cost of living across all 50 US states using a cost-of-living index. See which states are the most and least expensive to live in 2026.
Top 5 Highest
Top 5 Lowest
Regional Averages
All 50 States — Ranked
Sorted from highest to lowest. The amber line shows the national average (100).
Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), BLS (2025 estimates). 100 = national average.. Values are approximate and for educational purposes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the cost-of-living index mean?
A cost-of-living index of 100 represents the national average. A score of 120 means that state is 20% more expensive than average. A score of 85 means it's 15% cheaper than average. The index accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare costs.
Which state has the lowest cost of living?
Mississippi and West Virginia tie for the lowest cost of living with an index of approximately 84, meaning they're about 16% cheaper than the national average. Other affordable states include Arkansas (~86), Oklahoma (~86), and Kansas (~87).
Which state has the highest cost of living?
Hawaii has the highest cost of living at an index of approximately 192 — nearly double the national average. California (~142), Massachusetts (~135), New York (~127), and Alaska (~125) round out the top five.
Why is Hawaii so expensive?
Hawaii's extreme cost of living is driven by its isolated island geography. Most goods must be shipped or flown in, driving up prices for groceries (30–60% above mainland), fuel, and building materials. Limited land availability makes housing exceptionally expensive. The median home price exceeds $850,000.
Which states give you the best income-to-cost-of-living ratio?
States like Minnesota, Illinois, and Virginia offer relatively high incomes with moderate costs of living. Indiana and Iowa also perform well — incomes are below the national average but so are living costs, often by a larger margin. The best ratio depends on your specific industry and career.
Explore Other State Comparisons
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