Cost of Living Index by State
Ranking of US states by overall cost of living index. Index of 100 = California.
Top 5 Ranked
District of Columbia
15% more expensive
Hawaii
13% more expensive
California
Same as CA
District of Columbia
15% more expensive
Hawaii
13% more expensive
California
Same as CA
Overview
This ranking uses a weighted cost index calculated from user-contributed price data across 7 categories. For each state, we compute the average price in each category and compare it to California (baseline = 100). A score below 100 means cheaper; above 100 means more expensive.
Housing (35%): Rent, utilities, and accommodation costs
Groceries (20%): Food, beverages, and household supplies
Transportation (15%): Public transit, fuel, and vehicle costs
Dining (10%): Restaurants, cafes, and takeout meals
Entertainment (8%): Leisure activities, movies, and sports
Clothing (7%): Apparel, footwear, and accessories
Childcare (5%): Daycare, babysitting, and child-related services
State Rankings
Index value of 100 = California. Lower values indicate cheaper cost of living.
US State Cost Heatmap
Interactive map showing cost of living by state. Larger, redder circles indicate higher cost of living.
Why State Costs Vary So Much
State-level cost differences are driven by housing markets, local taxes, and economic conditions. States with major metropolitan areas tend to have higher costs due to demand for housing and services. State income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes also affect overall affordability. Remote work has begun to shift some patterns as workers move from high-cost to lower-cost states. Understanding state-level costs helps with relocation decisions and financial planning.
Rankings are based on the weighted average of category indices. Sources: MyLifeElsewhere's cost-of-living dataset (prices updated October 2026). How we calculate this
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