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You may have chosen where you live based on the job market, the school district, or even the weather. But what about the local cost of living?
The amount you spend on larger expenses like housing, groceries, and insurance affects your cost of living, and prices for goods and services can vary greatly by location. And that means a state's cost of living can mean the difference between being financially comfortable and living paycheck to paycheck.
To compare the cost of living across states, Insure.com ranked each state using the Q3 2022 Cost of Living Index released by the Community and Economic Research Council. We use the index, which tracks regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, to assess various factors such as housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, and health care. We also include the cost of car and home insurance. Items weighted by Insure.com based on what we feel is most needed.
Our basic cost of living is represented by 100; in this case, 100 corresponds to the national average. Locations are then indexed with that number. For example, a state with a cost of living of 110 would be 10% above the national average.
Based on our cost of living estimate, Hawaii is the most expensive state at 181.79, while Mississippi is the cheapest at 85.71.
So if you're considering a move or just want to know how your status stacks up,Read on for more informationon the cost of living by state.
the central theses
- Living costs refer to the amount of money you need to cover basic living expenses in a specific location.
- Checking the cost of living index can help you determine how much it costs to live in one area or another and can influence your location decision.
- Mississippi has the lowest cost of living while Hawaii has the highest cost of living.
- Our cost of living calculator will help you estimate how much it will cost to live in different parts of the country.
What is the cost of living?
Living costs refer to the amount of money you need to cover basic living expenses in a specific location. This can include the average cost of rent/mortgage payments, utilities, groceries and groceries, medical care, insurance, transportation, and other goods and services.
The cost of living can tell you how expensive it is to live in one area compared to another.
Average cost of living by state
Curious to know how different states stack up on cost of living? Take a look at the table below:
Illness | Average cost of living index | Compared to the national average of 100 |
---|---|---|
hawaii | 181,79 | 81,79 |
Washington DC. | 151,28 | 51.28 |
California | 146.02 | 46.02 |
new York | 141,46 | 41,46 |
Massachusetts | 132,37 | 32.37 |
New Hampshire | 127,7 | 27.7 |
Alaska | 122,39 | 22.39 |
Washington | 120,41 | 20.41 |
Oregon | 118,98 | 18,98 |
New Jersey | 115,26 | 15.26 |
Vermont | 114.01 | 14.01 |
Maryland | 113,75 | 13.75 |
Connecticut | 112.05 | 12.05 |
Maine | 111,68 | 11.68 |
Rhode Island | 109,84 | 9.84 |
Arizona | 109,42 | 9.42 |
Colorado | 108,52 | 8.52 |
Florida | 107,72 | 7.72 |
Delaware | 105,56 | 5.56 |
Virginia | 105.17 | 5.17 |
Dakota del Sur | 102.21 | 2.21 |
Nevada | 101.32 | 1.32 |
Utah | 101.11 | 1.11 |
pennsylvania | 100,99 | 0,99 |
Idaho | 100,74 | 0,74 |
Montana | 100,69 | 0,69 |
Michigan | 99,92 | -0,08 |
Louisiana | 98,61 | -1,39 |
Texas | 97,41 | -2,59 |
Dakota do Norte | 97,33 | -2,67 |
North Caroline | 96,45 | -3,55 |
Minnesota | 96.03 | -3,97 |
Wisconsin | 95,68 | -4,32 |
Carolina do Sul | 95,24 | -4,76 |
Georgia | 94,52 | -5,48 |
Kentucky | 94,5 | -5,5 |
Nebraska | 94.06 | -5,94 |
Arkansas | 93,52 | -6,48 |
Tennessee | 92,54 | -7,46 |
Illinois | 92,22 | -7,78 |
Measurements | 91,8 | -8,2 |
West Virginia | 91,78 | -8,22 |
Indiana | 91,6 | -8,4 |
Kansas | 91,58 | -8,42 |
New Mexico | 91,23 | -8,77 |
Wyoming | 90,76 | -9,24 |
Ohio | 90,69 | -9,31 |
Oklahoma | 90.06 | -9,94 |
Alabama | 89,46 | -10,54 |
Iowa | 87,97 | -12.03 |
Mississippi | 85,71 | -14,29 |
Hawaii has a cost of living index of 181.79, indicating that living there is 81.8% more expensive than the national average. Mississippi ranks lowest on the index with a score of 85.71, indicating savings of 14.3% of the national average compared to its level of productivity and standard of living.
A state like California or Hawaii has much higher rates than areas like Utah and Idaho. However, the cost of living also varies by region within a state. Rural areas tend to have a lower cost of living than suburban and urban areas. Even metropolitan areas within the same state vary.
An example is Texas. Cities like Houston, Dallas, El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, Amarillo and Beaumont are proud of Texans, but the cost of living varies.
The busier Northeast is also not immune to significant fluctuations in the cost of living.
New York has the New York City area, Long Island and Westchester County, all of which have high costs. However, the Empire State also includes more accessible areas such as Albany, Rochester, Utica and Buffalo.
So don't rule out an entire state if it has a high overall cost of living. Instead, look at the numbers to estimate specific regional costs.
The cheapest states to live in
Based on our data, the US Midwest and South are the cheapest states to live in. Here are the 10 states with the lowest cost of living and how they compare to the national average:
Illness | Average cost of living index | Compared to the national average of 100 |
---|---|---|
Mississippi | 85,71 | -14,29 |
Iowa | 87,97 | -12.03 |
Alabama | 89,46 | -10,54 |
Oklahoma | 90.06 | -9,94 |
Ohio | 90,69 | -9,31 |
Wyoming | 90,76 | -9,24 |
New Mexico | 91,23 | -8,77 |
Kansas | 91,58 | -8,42 |
Indiana | 91,6 | -8,4 |
West Virginia | 91,78 | -8,22 |
the most expensive states to live in
The most expensive states to live in tend to fall on both coasts. Here are the 10 most expensive states to live in and how their cost of living compares to the national average:
Illness | Average cost of living index | Compared to the national average of 100 |
---|---|---|
hawaii | 181,79 | 81,79 |
Washington DC. | 151,28 | 51.28 |
California | 146.02 | 46.02 |
new York | 141,46 | 41,46 |
Massachusetts | 132,37 | 32.37 |
New Hampshire | 127,7 | 27.7 |
Alaska | 122,39 | 22.39 |
Washington | 120,41 | 20.41 |
Oregon | 118,98 | 18,98 |
New Jersey | 115,26 | 15.26 |
Why the cost of living matters
A country's cost of living has a huge impact on its ability to save money and build wealth. If you live in an area with a high cost of living and don't have the necessary income, you could end up living paycheck to paycheck.
On the other hand, a lower cost of living means expenses are relatively low, so you may have more room in your budget to save, invest, or spend on items you need or want.
Note, however, that salaries generally reflect the cost of living. If you are in an expensive area like San Francisco or Washington, D.C. live, your salary will likely be higher to accommodate this.
If you live in Kalamazoo, Michigan or Jackson, Mississippi, your expenses will be much lower, but so will your salary.
What is a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)?
When looking at the cost of living, many people often wonder about a term they often hear: the cost of living adjustment. To account for inflation and ensure that Americans who depend on certain government benefits can live: aCost of living allowance (COLA)sometimes it is done with Social Security and Supplementary Pension Income (SSI).
Introduced in 1972, the adjustment is based on the percentage increase in the consumer price index for urban wage and office workers (CPI-W) calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Social Security and SSI benefits will increase to 8.7% through 2023.
cost of living calculator
Whether you're moving for work or retiring, ourcost of living calculatorcan help you estimate how much it will cost you to live in your new destination.
For example, compare costs related to major budget categories such as housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, other goods and services, and home and auto insurance. You can compare any two factors side by side.
Our cost of living calculator will also give you the salary you need to maintain your current standard of living. Knowing how much you need to earn to support your lifestyle provides vital information on whether this area is worth moving into.
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New York, NY Boise, ID
21.775 $
living expenses includedBoise, ID, after taxes
cost of living
56,45% lower
EmBoise, ID,EraNew York, NY
car insurance
66% lower
EmBoise, ID,EraNew York, NY
home insurance
28% lower
EmBoise, ID,EraNew York, NY
Compare the cost of living:Boise, ID, contraNew York, NY
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Boise, ID
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New York, NY
Accommodation
-76%
groceries
-25%
public utility services
-24%
Transport
5%
health care
-10%
Several good offices
-23%
car insurance
-66%
home insurance
-28%
car insurance
- New York, NY:$ 5.199
- Boise, Identification:1.775 $
- % To change:66% lower
home insurance
- New York, NY:$ 2,795
- Boise, Identification:
2.005 $
- % To change:28% lower
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To use the tool, enter the zip code for a more accurate result. Cities can have multiple zip codes, so entering the city name returns the average of all zip codes in that city. We may not have cost of living data for some areas outside of metropolitan areas. In these cases, we will provide cost of living information for the nearest zip code for which the information is available.
- The cost of living index allows you to compare costs from one area to another.
- Enter your place of residence and other county information. Enter your income and calculate cost of living.
- Our tool shows how much you need to earn to maintain the same standard of living. The tool also highlights cost differences for each category: housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, car insurance, and home insurance.
- The cost of living tool also includes how much you would save on car and home insurance.
- Enter your details below and compare the cost of living between two places.
methodology
A cost of living index assesses several factors that are weighted according to importance. Below are the eight main expense categories we use to measure the cost of living, from most important to least important:
- Miscellaneous goods and services (30%)
- Residential (29%)
- Food (13%)
- Transportation (9%)
- Wins (9%)
- Health (4%)
- Car insurance (2%)
- Content insurance (2%)
We then ranked the states based on these results. The basic cost of living is always represented by 100; in this case, 100 corresponds to the national average. Locations are then indexed with that number. For example, a state with a cost of living index of 110 would be 10% higher than the national average.
common questions
Which state is the cheapest to live in?
Mississippi is the cheapest state in terms of cost of living. Mississippi costs are lower than the state average in all categories except home insurance costs. Home contents insurers base their rates on risk. Weather-related damage such as hurricanes, fires, and thefts result in higher costs.
What is the best state to live in financially?
Just because a certain state is cheap to live in doesn't necessarily mean it's the best place to live for your finances. You should also consider factors such as the unemployment rate, average wages, tax rates, and more.
This means that states with a higher cost of living can still be financially comfortable if they have a strong job market, high wages, low taxes, etc. And these factors can change over time, which means that the best financial situation to live in is not always the best. The same thing.
If you're looking to move for financial reasons, you can use the cost of living calculator to see how different states will affect your bottom line. Then do your research to find out the health of the local economy.
How much has the cost of living increased?
The cost of living has risen more than it has in decades. As of June 2022, theConsumer Price Indexincreased 9.1% over the previous year. Prices for gasoline (59.9%), new cars (11.4%) and groceries (10.4%) were some of the biggest contributors.
Casey Bond is a veteran writer and editor covering personal finance for over a decade. She has covered money, home and life for HuffPost. He has held senior editorial roles at Student Loan Hero and GOBankingRates. His work has been featured in Forbes, Money.com, Yahoo! Finance, USA News & World Report and much more. In 2019, he won the NEFE Award for Excellence in Personal Finance Reporting. She is also a Certified Personal Financial Advisor.
related posts
Index
- What is the cost of living?
- Average cost of living by state
- The cheapest states to live in
- the most expensive states to live in
- Why the cost of living matters
- What is a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)?
- cost of living calculator
- methodology
- common questions
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FAQs
What is the best site to compare cost of living? ›
- NerdWallet Cost of Living Calculator.
- Numbeo.
- PayScale Cost of Living Calculator.
- Expatistan.
- BestPlaces 2022 Cost of Living Calculator.
- SmartAsset Cost of Living.
- Ramsey Cost of Living Calculator.
- NERDWALLET. NerdWallet uses your current city, future city, and current income to predict the salary you'll need in order to maintain your current lifestyle in the new location. ...
- BANKRATE. ...
- CNN MONEY. ...
- SMART ASSET.
- Mississippi. Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. ...
- Kansas. ...
- Alabama. ...
- Oklahoma. ...
- Georgia. ...
- Tennessee. ...
- Missouri. ...
- Iowa.
The 2022 cost of living adjustment was 5.9%—the highest increase in 40 years. So if you're struggling with raise determinations, you're not alone.
What state has the lowest cost of living? ›...
The 5 Cheapest States To Live In
- Mississippi. Cost of Living Index: 84.9. ...
- Oklahoma. Cost of Living Index: 85.7. ...
- Kansas. Cost of Living Index: 86.4. ...
- Alabama. ...
- Georgia.
Hidden Costs The deals displayed on price comparison sites might not be as cheap as they seem. Quotes with low premiums might be at the top, but the excess you'll have to pay could be very high, and you might not be able to afford the cost if you need to claim.
What 3 states have the highest cost of living? ›Missouri had the 6th lowest cost of living in the United States for 2022. In general, the most expensive areas to live were Hawaii, Alaska, the Northeast, and the West Coast. The least expensive areas were the Midwest and Southern states.
How can I make my cost of living cheaper? ›- How Cost of Living Is Calculated.
- Move to a Cheaper City.
- Carpool or Shorten Your Commute.
- Downgrade Your Home or Car.
- Get a Roommate.
- Reduce Your Energy Usage.
- Reconsider Your Budget.
- The Bottom Line.
50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).
What is the best state to live in financially? ›Best to Worst States: What Is the Range of Economic Conditions? Washington State was found to be the best state to live in, while Hawaii ranked last. The chief benefits offered by Washington are an average median income that ranks fourth nationally and the fact that it has no state income tax.
What is the most moved from state in 2022? ›
Twenty-six states experienced an influx of people, with more people moving in than out, while twenty-five states lost movers. Florida (318,855), Texas (230,961), and the Carolinas – North Carolina (99,796) and South Carolina (84,030) – were the states with the most net domestic migration gains in 2022.
What is the best state to move to in 2022? ›Massachusetts topped 2022's list, touting a score of 62.65 out of 100. New Jersey came in second, dropping from the top spot last year. New York, Idaho and Virginia fill out the rest of the top five states to live in, in that order.
How to calculate cost of living increase 2022? ›To calculate your COLA increase for 2022, take your monthly payment and multiply it by 5.9%. This will tell you the increase. From there, add this number to the amount you were receiving in 2021.
What is the latest cost of living index? ›With COLAs, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits keep pace with inflation. The latest COLA is 8.7 percent for Social Security benefits and SSI payments. Social Security benefits will increase by 8.7 percent beginning with the December 2022 benefits, which are payable in January 2023.
What is the current cost of living increase per year? ›Consumer Price Index (CPI)
CPI is determined by the BLS and, by law, it is the official measure used by CalPERS to calculate COLA. The 2021 annual CPI is 811.705 and the rate of inflation is 4.70%.
It counts the affordability of housing, with median housing prices compared against median family incomes. Ohio ranks first in the nation for affordability. Oklahoma places second in this subcategory, followed by Michigan, Iowa and Missouri. Learn more about the most affordable states below.
What state has the lowest cost of living for retirees? ›...
Here are the seven most affordable states to retire, according to Bankrate:
- Michigan.
- Tennessee.
- Missouri.
- Mississippi.
- Kentucky.
- Oklahoma.
- Georgia.
Augusta, a small city near Georgia's border with South Carolina, is one of the cheapest and safest places to live in the USA. It has a low crime rate and a low cost of living, making it perfect for those looking to live comfortably and save money.
Is it cheaper to go to insurance company directly? ›The Benefits of Buying Insurance 'Direct'
The insurance company does not pay an agent or broker a sales commission to market their products, which can often save you money.
The excess cover is completely free, so you don't need to provide your card or account details. All you need to do is quote and buy your car insurance through GoCompare and you will be eligible for the free excess cover.
How do you get data for a price comparison website? ›
- Feeds from merchants. Price comparison websites enter into a collaboration with stores or companies to gain data directly from a retailer's web feeds. ...
- Product feeds from third-party API. Retail product data can also be obtained through third-party APIs. ...
- Web Scraping.
- 13 Cheapest States to Live in for 2023. Here they are, folks: ...
- Mississippi. Mississippi is the cheapest place to live in the United States, with a cost of living 15.6% lower than the national average. ...
- Oklahoma. Let's head west! ...
- Kansas. ...
- Alabama. ...
- Georgia. ...
- Ohio. ...
- Iowa.
Hawaii. With a cost of living index score of 189.9 Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in right now. Groceries alone are 50 percent more expensive than the country's average though poverty remains low.
What 5 states have the highest cost of living? ›- New Hampshire. At the bottom of the list is New Hampshire, landing at No. ...
- Washington. With its mild climate, it's no surprise to see Washington in the No. ...
- Vermont. ...
- New Jersey. ...
- Maryland. ...
- New York. ...
- Massachusetts. ...
- Hawaii.
- Assess Your Financial Situation. Make sure you are not spending more than what's coming in. ...
- Cut Back Your Spending. Eliminate unnecessary monthly expenses that you can live without. ...
- Save For Emergencies. ...
- Stretch Your Meals. ...
- Do It Yourself.
Simply add up all of your monthly fixed expenses, like rent or a mortgage payment, and your variable expenses, such as groceries and gas costs. Also factor in occasional but expected purchases, such as new tires. The resulting amount, assuming you aren't going to debt every month, is your cost of living.
What is the 70 20 10 rule? ›The 70-20-10 rule reveals that individuals tend to learn 70% of their knowledge from challenging experiences and assignments, 20% from developmental relationships, and 10% from coursework and training.
What is the 50 40 10 rule? ›One of the most quoted rules of happiness is the 50-40-10 rule. This knowledge about happiness states that 50% of our happiness is determined by genetics, 10% by our circumstances and 40% by our internal state of mind. This rule originates from the book "The How Of Happiness" written by Sonja Lyubomirsky.
What is the 50 20 30 rule? ›One of the most common percentage-based budgets is the 50/30/20 rule. The idea is to divide your income into three categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings.
What is the best measure of cost of living? ›It is not possible to directly measure the standard of living of consumers, so the market basket approach is the best feasible proxy of a cost-of-living index. The CPI market basket is updated every 2 years based on consumer spending information captured in the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE).
What is the best way to measure cost of living? ›
Typically, cost of living is calculated by comparing the prices of a range of goods and services on which consumers spend their money. Costs are broken down by category, like health care, food and housing, and weighted based on spending patterns and individual budgets.
What is the best method to calculate the cost of living? ›Simply add up all of your monthly fixed expenses, like rent or a mortgage payment, and your variable expenses, such as groceries and gas costs. Also factor in occasional but expected purchases, such as new tires. The resulting amount, assuming you aren't going to debt every month, is your cost of living.
Is Numbeo cost of living accurate? ›Data on Numbeo is not peer-reviewed, and could be inserted or altered by anyone accessing the website. It has been criticized for its inaccuracy due to its ease of statistics misuse and general disinformation.
What is the biggest cost of living expense? ›Average monthly spending on housing: $1,885 (+34%)
Housing is by far the largest expense for Americans. Monthly housing expenses in 2021 average $1,885, a 6% increase from 2020. Spending on housing has likely risen in 2022 as the housing costs continue to stubbornly increase.
Yet there is a generally accepted measure for standard of living: average real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Let's break it down piece by piece: GDP measures annual economic output — the total value of new goods and services produced within a country's borders. Real GDP is the inflation-adjusted value.
What state has the highest cost of living? ›Another important consideration is affordability. According to worldpopulationreview.com, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with its housing costing three times the national average. New York and California rank as the second and third most expensive states in which to live, respectively.
How do I keep my cost of living low? ›- Start Tracking Your Spending Habits. ...
- Get on a Budget. ...
- Re-Evaluate Your Subscriptions. ...
- Reduce Electricity Use. ...
- Lower Your Housing Expenses. ...
- Consolidate Your Debt and Lower Interest Rates. ...
- Reduce Your Insurance Premiums. ...
- Eat at Home.
The most commonly cited measure of inflation in the United States is the Consumer Price Index, or CPI. The CPI is calculated by government statisticians at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics based on the prices in a fixed basket of goods and services that represents the purchases of the average family of four.
How do I calculate my cost? ›How to calculate cost price? Simply add together the labor cost, the components cost, the tools cost, the marketing costs and the overhead cost.
How do you calculate cost living index? ›Weighted Average of Price Relative Method: P01=∑RW∑W=1418.111=128.9.
What is the best source for cost of living data? ›
Published since 1968, the Cost of Living Index, published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), has been the most consistent source of city-to-city cost comparisons available. COLI data is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CNN Money.
Can Numbeo COM be trusted? ›Numbeo has a consumer rating of 3.05 stars from 19 reviews indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases.
What city has the highest cost of living index? ›- Cost of living: 137.6% above U.S. average.
- Borough population: 1,576,876.
- Median household income: $84,435.
- Median home value: $940,900.
- Unemployment rate: 4.2%