Cost of Living by State 2026 — Cheapest to Most Expensive
2026 Cost of Living Index by State
The US average = 100. States above 100 are more expensive; below 100 are cheaper.
See what your salary is really worth in each state with the Salary Comparison Calculator→| Rank | State | COL Index | Housing Index | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 193.3 | 318 | Isolated location, imported goods |
| 2 | California | 151.1 | 227 | Housing, regulations |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 135.0 | 176 | Housing, healthcare |
| 4 | New York | 138.7 | 196 | NYC drives up average |
| 5 | Oregon | 130.1 | 173 | Housing, no sales tax |
| 6 | Alaska | 127.1 | 134 | Remote location, heating |
| 7 | Washington | 118.7 | 153 | Seattle housing |
| 8 | Colorado | 116.0 | 145 | Denver housing boom |
| 9 | Connecticut | 113.5 | 128 | Healthcare, taxes |
| 10 | Maryland | 112.4 | 135 | DC suburbs |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 41 | Ohio | 93.2 | 76 | Affordable Midwest |
| 42 | Indiana | 92.5 | 77 | Low housing costs |
| 43 | Tennessee | 89.0 | 82 | No income tax, low housing |
| 44 | Arkansas | 88.8 | 70 | Very affordable housing |
| 45 | Missouri | 88.6 | 73 | Low costs across the board |
| 46 | Alabama | 87.9 | 68 | Low housing, wages |
| 47 | Oklahoma | 87.5 | 68 | Energy, land |
| 48 | Kansas | 86.5 | 68 | Agriculture economy |
| 49 | West Virginia | 84.1 | 61 | Depopulation lowering costs |
| 50 | Mississippi | 83.3 | 61 | Lowest in the nation |
What $60,000 Buys You
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need:
| State | Equivalent Salary | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $50,000 | -$10,000 |
| Tennessee | $53,400 | -$6,600 |
| Texas | $55,800 | -$4,200 |
| Florida | $61,800 | +$1,800 |
| Colorado | $69,600 | +$9,600 |
| Washington | $71,220 | +$11,220 |
| New York | $83,220 | +$23,220 |
| California | $90,660 | +$30,660 |
| Hawaii | $116,000 | +$56,000 |
A $60K salary in Mississippi provides the lifestyle that would require $116K in Hawaii.
Breaking Down the Costs
Housing (Biggest Factor)
| State | Median Home Price | Median Rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|
| California | $785,000 | $2,200 |
| Hawaii | $820,000 | $2,100 |
| New York | $420,000 | $1,900 (NYC: $3,500) |
| Texas | $310,000 | $1,250 |
| Florida | $405,000 | $1,600 |
| Ohio | $220,000 | $850 |
| Mississippi | $170,000 | $750 |
Housing typically represents 30-40% of spending. States with high housing costs pull up the overall COL significantly.
Food
| Cost Level | States | Monthly Grocery (Family of 4) |
|---|---|---|
| High | Hawaii, Alaska, NYC | $1,200-$1,500 |
| Above average | CA, MA, CT, NJ | $900-$1,100 |
| Average | Most states | $750-$900 |
| Below average | MS, AR, KS, OK | $650-$750 |
Healthcare
| State | Annual Healthcare Spending (Avg Family) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $11,000+ | Limited providers, high costs |
| Massachusetts | $9,500 | High quality, high cost |
| California | $9,000 | Varied by region |
| Texas | $7,500 | Lower premiums, less coverage |
| Mississippi | $6,500 | Lower costs, fewer specialists |
The 10 Cheapest States
| Rank | State | COL Index | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | 83.3 | Retirees, remote workers |
| 2 | West Virginia | 84.1 | Outdoors, low taxes |
| 3 | Kansas | 86.5 | Families, low crime |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 87.5 | Energy jobs, low housing |
| 5 | Alabama | 87.9 | Warm climate, low taxes |
| 6 | Missouri | 88.6 | Central location, jobs |
| 7 | Arkansas | 88.8 | Natural beauty, Walmart HQ |
| 8 | Tennessee | 89.0 | No income tax, music scene |
| 9 | Indiana | 92.5 | Manufacturing, affordable |
| 10 | Ohio | 93.2 | Cities + affordable suburbs |
The 10 Most Expensive States
| Rank | State | COL Index | Why So Expensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 193.3 | Island logistics |
| 2 | California | 151.1 | Housing regulations, demand |
| 3 | New York | 138.7 | NYC, taxes |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 135.0 | Healthcare, housing |
| 5 | Oregon | 130.1 | Portland housing |
| 6 | Alaska | 127.1 | Remote location |
| 7 | Washington | 118.7 | Seattle tech salaries |
| 8 | Colorado | 116.0 | Denver growth |
| 9 | Connecticut | 113.5 | NYC suburb premium |
| 10 | Maryland | 112.4 | DC proximity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does lower cost of living mean lower salaries?
Generally yes — wages and COL move together. But the relationship isn't 1:1. Some low-COL states (Tennessee, Texas) have strong job markets with salaries that provide more purchasing power than high-COL states.
What about state income taxes?
Nine states have no income tax. This effectively increases your purchasing power by 3-7% compared to high-tax states. Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Washington combine no income tax with reasonable costs of living.
Calculate your equivalent salary in any city with our Cost of Living Calculator, see the best states to move to, and calculate relocation costs.
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