Maine
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
115.3
#11
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.
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:
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
88.1
#47
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
126.6
#5
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
105.8
#15
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
90.6
#40
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
137.6
#3
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
104.6
#18
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
116.8
#8
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
105.6
#16
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
102.8
#20
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
88.6
#46
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
184
#1
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
99.6
#23
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
92.6
#34
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
89.9
#43
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
89.2
#44
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
87.5
#48
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
94.9
#29
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
93.6
#33
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
115.3
#11
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
124
#6
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
149.7
#2
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
92.2
#37
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
97.5
#25
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
85
#50
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
89.1
#45
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
104.8
#17
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
91.9
#39
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
103.2
#19
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
116.1
#9
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
112.4
#14
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
94
#32
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
134.5
#4
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
95.7
#27
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
97.1
#26
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
91.9
#38
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
85.8
#49
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
121.2
#7
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
98.2
#24
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
112.9
#13
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
94.3
#31
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
94.5
#30
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
90.2
#41
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
92.5
#36
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
102.8
#21
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
115.9
#10
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
102.8
#22
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
114.2
#12
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
90
#42
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
95.5
#28
Metric
Value
Rank
Cost of Living Index
92.5
#35
Region ↕ | Cost of Living Index ↕ |
---|---|
Alabama | 88.1 |
Alaska | 126.6 |
Arizona | 105.8 |
Arkansas | 90.6 |
California | 137.6 |
Colorado | 104.6 |
Connecticut | 116.8 |
Delaware | 105.6 |
Florida | 102.8 |
Georgia | 88.6 |
Hawaii | 184 |
Idaho | 99.6 |
Illinois | 92.6 |
Indiana | 89.9 |
Iowa | 89.2 |
Kansas | 87.5 |
Kentucky | 94.9 |
Louisiana | 93.6 |
Maine | 115.3 |
Maryland | 124 |
Massachusetts | 149.7 |
Michigan | 92.2 |
Minnesota | 97.5 |
Mississippi | 85 |
Missouri | 89.1 |
Montana | 104.8 |
Nebraska | 91.9 |
Nevada | 103.2 |
New Hampshire | 116.1 |
New Jersey | 112.4 |
New Mexico | 94 |
New York | 134.5 |
North Carolina | 95.7 |
North Dakota | 97.1 |
Ohio | 91.9 |
Oklahoma | 85.8 |
Oregon | 121.2 |
Pennsylvania | 98.2 |
Rhode Island | 112.9 |
South Carolina | 94.3 |
South Dakota | 94.5 |
Tennessee | 90.2 |
Texas | 92.5 |
Utah | 102.8 |
Vermont | 115.9 |
Virginia | 102.8 |
Washington | 114.2 |
West Virginia | 90 |
Wisconsin | 95.5 |
Wyoming | 92.5 |