Infographic: The States Where Living Costs the Most—and Least

Key Takeaways

• Hawaii is the most expensive state, with costs 84% above the U.S. average.
• Oklahoma is the cheapest, with living costs 15% below the national baseline.
• A clear regional divide emerges, with Southern states generally more affordable than coastal markets.

Living costs vary widely across the United States, shaping how far a paycheck goes from one state to another. In the most expensive states, everyday expenses run far above the national average, while in lower-cost states, incomes stretch significantly further.

This map shows the cost of living index in every state, with the U.S. set at a baseline of 100. Housing is the biggest driver of these differences, though taxes, utilities, and healthcare also play a major role.

The map also reveals a strong regional pattern, with much of the South and Midwest below the national average, while coastal states dominate the high-cost end.

Rank	State	Cost of Living Index (2025)
1	Hawaii	183.9
2	Massachusetts	148.5
3	California	143.1
4	District of Columbia	137.8
5	Alaska	126.7
6	New York	125.8
7	Maryland	117.4
8	New Jersey	115.3
9	Connecticut	114.0
10	Maine	114.0
11	Vermont	113.5
12	Washington	112.9
13	Oregon	112.8
14	Rhode Island	110.7
15	New Hampshire	110.5
16	Arizona	110.3
17	Delaware	103.1
18	Colorado	103.1
19	Virginia	102.2
20	Florida	101.4
21	Nevada	99.7
22	Utah	99.5
23	Idaho	99.3
24	Wisconsin	98.5
25	North Carolina	97.9
26	Pennsylvania	97.1
27	Montana	96.8
28	Illinois	95.0
29	Wyoming	94.6
30	Ohio	94.6
31	New Mexico	93.7
32	Minnesota	93.6
33	Louisiana	92.9
34	South Carolina	92.7
35	Georgia	92.2
36	Michigan	91.9
37	Nebraska	91.8
38	South Dakota	91.8
39	Kentucky	91.5
40	Texas	91.1
41	North Dakota	91.1
42	Indiana	90.7
43	Arkansas	90.1
44	Tennessee	90.1
45	Iowa	89.8
46	Missouri	88.9
47	Kansas	88.4
48	Alabama	88.1
49	West Virginia	88.0
50	Mississippi	86.0
51	Oklahoma	84.7