Cheapest States To Live In

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

Introduction

According to the data provided by the Cost of Living Index, the vast divergence in the cost of living across states becomes apparent. The data reveals quite a bit about the economic landscape of the United States and provides insights into regions where your dollar could go the furthest.

  • The economic landscape of the United States is vastly diverse, with the cost of living index ranging from 85 in Mississippi to an exorbitant 184 in Hawaii. This difference underscores the disparity in economic conditions and the cost of basic needs across the country.
  • The data indicates a clear regional pattern, with Southern and Midwestern states like Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, and Georgia topping the list as the states with the lowest cost of living.
  • Conversely, the most expensive states to live in include the Northeastern states and the Pacific Coast, as well as non-contiguous states like Hawaii and Alaska, making these areas less affordable for many American families.
  • A noticeable uptick in the cost of living index appears as we shift from the Midwest and Southern states to the coastal regions and non-contiguous states. Florida marks the point where the cost of living begins to exceed the national average, with an index of 102.8.

10 Cheapest States to Live In

Topping the list is Mississippi with a Cost of Living Index at a meager 85. This means that the residents enjoy costs that are 15% lower than the national average. Being the cheapest state to live in, a dollar spent here would stretch further compared to many other states. Following closely at second is Oklahoma with a Cost of Living Index at 85.8. Kansas holds the third position with a Cost of Living Index at 87.5, suggesting that the cost of living in this state is 12.5% cheaper than the national average. Alabama is next in line, ranking fourth, with a Cost of Living Index at 88.1. Ranking fifth is Georgia with an index at 88.6. Missouri and Iowa follow with indexes at 89.1 and 89.2 respectively. Indiana and West Virginia fill up the eighth and ninth positions with indexes at 89.9 and 90. Rounding up the list of ten is Tennessee with a Cost of Living Index at 90.2. Top 10 Cheapest States to Live In:

  1. Mississippi - 85
  2. Oklahoma - 85.8
  3. Kansas - 87.5
  4. Alabama - 88.1
  5. Georgia - 88.6
  6. Missouri - 89.1
  7. Iowa - 89.2
  8. Indiana - 89.9
  9. West Virginia - 90
  10. Tennessee - 90.2

By Region

Alabama

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Alabama

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Alaska

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Alaska

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Arizona

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Arizona

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Arkansas

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Arkansas

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California

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California

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Colorado

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Colorado

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Connecticut

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Connecticut

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Delaware

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Delaware

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Florida

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Florida

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Georgia

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Georgia

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Hawaii

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Hawaii

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Idaho

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Idaho

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Illinois

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Illinois

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Indiana

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Indiana

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Iowa

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Iowa

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Kansas

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Kansas

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Kentucky

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Kentucky

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Louisiana

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Louisiana

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Maine

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Maine

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Maryland

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Maryland

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Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

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Michigan

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Michigan

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Minnesota

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Minnesota

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Mississippi

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Mississippi

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Missouri

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Missouri

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Montana

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Montana

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Nebraska

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Nebraska

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Nevada

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Nevada

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New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

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New Jersey

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New Mexico

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New Mexico

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New York

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New York

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North Carolina

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North Carolina

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North Dakota

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North Dakota

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Ohio

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Ohio

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Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

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Oregon

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Oregon

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Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

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Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

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South Carolina

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South Carolina

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South Dakota

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Tennessee

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Tennessee

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Texas

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Texas

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Utah

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Utah

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Vermont

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Vermont

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Virginia

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Virginia

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Washington

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Washington

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West Virginia

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West Virginia

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Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

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Wyoming

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Wyoming

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