Cost of Living by State:
2026 Rankings for All 50 States
Compare the cost of living across every US state with our comprehensive rankings, interactive calculator, and detailed breakdowns of housing, groceries, healthcare, utilities, and taxes.
Mississippi
Index: 83.3
100.0
31 states below average
Hawaii
Index: 193.3
Quick Compare
Salary equivalent in Texas
$51,477
Annual savings
+$28,523
Cost difference
35.7% cheaper
Full 50-State Rankings
Click any column header to sort. Index of 100 = national average. Source: C2ER COLI, Q1 2026.
| # | State | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | 83.3 | 56.2 | 93.1 | 90.2 | 97.8 | 90.5 | $257,000 | $810 |
| 2 | West Virginia | 84.1 | 56.8 | 93.5 | 93.5 | 103.8 | 93.8 | $145,600 | $780 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 84.9 | 60.8 | 94.5 | 92.5 | 100.2 | 94.2 | $196,500 | $880 |
| 4 | Arkansas | 86.0 | 62.0 | 92.3 | 90.9 | 99.8 | 93.0 | $192,800 | $830 |
| 5 | Kansas | 86.5 | 62.0 | 93.8 | 98.2 | 99.5 | 93.5 | $207,600 | $940 |
| 6 | Missouri | 87.1 | 67.5 | 94.8 | 95.5 | 99.2 | 93.8 | $222,300 | $950 |
| 7 | Kentucky | 87.5 | 66.2 | 93.5 | 93.3 | 102.5 | 94.8 | $198,500 | $870 |
| 8 | Alabama | 87.9 | 66.8 | 96.4 | 91.0 | 103.7 | 92.7 | $216,500 | $920 |
| 9 | Iowa | 89.0 | 69.8 | 95.8 | 99.5 | 97.5 | 96.2 | $208,700 | $890 |
| 10 | Indiana | 89.4 | 72.1 | 95.5 | 96.3 | 98.2 | 97.5 | $227,800 | $970 |
| 11 | Louisiana | 89.6 | 72.5 | 96.2 | 91.8 | 96.5 | 96.8 | $198,200 | $930 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 89.7 | 75.8 | 94.2 | 92.8 | 97.8 | 95.2 | $298,500 | $1,180 |
| 13 | Ohio | 89.8 | 68.5 | 97.5 | 98.8 | 100.5 | 98.5 | $210,500 | $960 |
| 14 | Michigan | 90.3 | 72.8 | 95.2 | 99.8 | 107.5 | 98.2 | $235,400 | $1,050 |
| 15 | Nebraska | 90.8 | 74.5 | 96.5 | 101.2 | 92.8 | 96.8 | $246,800 | $1,010 |
| 16 | New Mexico | 91.3 | 81.2 | 96.5 | 91.5 | 94.2 | 96.2 | $287,500 | $990 |
| 17 | Georgia | 91.5 | 80.7 | 95.7 | 95.3 | 96.2 | 98.5 | $310,200 | $1,340 |
| 18 | Texas | 91.5 | 81.5 | 93.5 | 95.8 | 101.5 | 98.5 | $298,700 | $1,320 |
| 19 | South Carolina | 92.5 | 79.5 | 97.8 | 97.2 | 107.5 | 96.2 | $278,600 | $1,180 |
| 20 | Illinois | 93.4 | 80.7 | 99.2 | 102.5 | 97.3 | 106.5 | $262,500 | $1,220 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 93.5 | 79.2 | 98.5 | 102.8 | 101.2 | 99.8 | $265,800 | $1,080 |
| 22 | North Dakota | 94.5 | 81.2 | 100.5 | 107.2 | 85.8 | 96.5 | $248,500 | $920 |
| 23 | North Carolina | 94.9 | 85.5 | 96.2 | 99.5 | 99.8 | 97.5 | $318,600 | $1,220 |
| 24 | South Dakota | 95.2 | 86.5 | 99.2 | 107.5 | 89.5 | 96.5 | $285,400 | $920 |
| 25 | Wyoming | 95.8 | 86.2 | 99.5 | 104.2 | 82.8 | 98.2 | $298,500 | $920 |
| 26 | Idaho | 96.8 | 96.1 | 93.6 | 96.5 | 81.2 | 96.8 | $420,300 | $1,150 |
| 27 | Minnesota | 97.1 | 88.5 | 99.8 | 102.5 | 96.8 | 101.2 | $318,500 | $1,220 |
| 28 | Montana | 99.2 | 103.8 | 97.5 | 98.2 | 84.5 | 96.5 | $415,200 | $1,120 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | 99.5 | 93.5 | 101.8 | 103.5 | 108.5 | 105.2 | $268,500 | $1,180 |
| 30 | Arizona | 102.2 | 107.8 | 96.5 | 95.3 | 100.3 | 101.8 | $394,200 | $1,380 |
| 31 | Delaware | 102.4 | 96.5 | 104.2 | 112.6 | 107.3 | 104.1 | $355,400 | $1,310 |
| 32 | Florida | 102.8 | 107.3 | 101.5 | 96.2 | 101.2 | 105.8 | $398,500 | $1,620 |
| 33 | Utah | 103.5 | 115.2 | 96.8 | 93.5 | 82.5 | 98.5 | $475,800 | $1,380 |
| 34 | Virginia | 103.7 | 112.8 | 99.5 | 98.2 | 99.5 | 101.8 | $385,200 | $1,480 |
| 35 | Nevada | 104.2 | 115.8 | 101.2 | 100.5 | 91.5 | 108.5 | $435,600 | $1,480 |
| 36 | Colorado | 105.1 | 118.9 | 99.4 | 96.1 | 88.5 | 98.8 | $525,600 | $1,680 |
| 37 | Washington | 110.7 | 130.2 | 103.5 | 102.5 | 82.5 | 112.8 | $568,500 | $1,780 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | 111.8 | 118.5 | 103.5 | 115.2 | 128.5 | 105.5 | $418,500 | $1,520 |
| 39 | Maine | 112.1 | 115.2 | 104.8 | 119.5 | 120.5 | 107.2 | $365,800 | $1,280 |
| 40 | New Hampshire | 112.5 | 120.2 | 102.5 | 115.8 | 122.5 | 105.8 | $425,800 | $1,580 |
| 41 | Connecticut | 112.8 | 113.0 | 106.1 | 115.8 | 131.5 | 107.2 | $395,100 | $1,520 |
| 42 | Oregon | 113.1 | 132.5 | 101.5 | 102.8 | 88.5 | 112.5 | $498,500 | $1,520 |
| 43 | Vermont | 114.5 | 123.5 | 105.8 | 118.5 | 125.8 | 105.2 | $378,500 | $1,380 |
| 44 | New Jersey | 115.2 | 128.5 | 104.8 | 109.5 | 115.2 | 111.5 | $472,500 | $1,720 |
| 45 | Maryland | 118.2 | 140.5 | 104.5 | 107.2 | 114.8 | 109.5 | $398,500 | $1,620 |
| 46 | New York | 126.5 | 155.8 | 106.2 | 110.5 | 125.5 | 114.2 | $435,800 | $1,780 |
| 47 | Alaska | 127.0 | 128.3 | 129.5 | 155.7 | 169.8 | 112.5 | $345,700 | $1,330 |
| 48 | California | 142.2 | 196.5 | 105.1 | 107.8 | 113.2 | 118.9 | $785,300 | $2,120 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 148.4 | 210.5 | 107.5 | 118.2 | 138.5 | 112.8 | $598,700 | $2,280 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 193.3 | 318.6 | 149.7 | 112.6 | 168.5 | 136.3 | $978,200 | $2,350 |
Key Findings
The Gap Is Enormous
Hawaii costs 2.3x more than Mississippi. $100 of purchasing power in Mississippi requires $193 in Hawaii to match.
Housing Is the Main Driver
Housing accounts for 60-70% of the cost difference between states. Hawaii's housing index is 318.6 vs Mississippi's 56.2 -- a 5.7x gap.
31 States Below Average
A majority of US states have costs below the national average. The 'expensive' states are expensive enough to pull the average up significantly.
Groceries Vary Less
The grocery index ranges from 92.3 (Arkansas) to 149.7 (Hawaii). Excluding Hawaii, the gap narrows considerably -- mainland states cluster between 92-107.
Transportation Is Surprisingly Even
Transportation costs vary the least among categories, ranging from 90.5 (Mississippi) to 136.3 (Hawaii). Gas prices and car insurance drive most of the difference.
Utility Costs Are Climate-Driven
Utilities vary from 81.2 (Idaho) to 169.8 (Alaska). Cold-climate heating and island energy imports create the biggest differentials.
What Is the Cost of Living Index?
The Cost of Living Index (COLI) is published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), formerly known as ACCRA. It is the most widely cited measure of relative price levels across US cities and states. The index uses a baseline of 100 to represent the national average, making it easy to compare: a state with an index of 85 is 15% cheaper than average, while a state at 120 is 20% more expensive.
The COLI measures prices across six categories: housing (the single largest factor, including mortgage payments, apartment rent, and property taxes), groceries (a basket of grocery items including meat, dairy, produce, and packaged goods), utilities (electricity, natural gas, and phone service), transportation (gas prices, car maintenance, and public transit), healthcare (doctor visits, prescription drugs, and hospital services), and miscellaneous goods and services (clothing, restaurant meals, personal care, and entertainment).
What the COLI does NOT include: The standard index excludes state and local taxes, which can dramatically change the picture. Texas has no income tax but high property taxes. Oregon has no sales tax but high income tax. For a complete comparison that includes taxes, see our tax burden by state analysis.
The COLI is updated quarterly using data collected from over 300 urban areas. State-level indices are calculated as weighted averages of the cities within each state. For a deeper dive into the methodology, sources, and limitations, visit our methodology page.
Explore by Category
10 Cheapest States
Deep dive into the most affordable states with full per-state data cards and pros/cons analysis.
10 Most Expensive States
What drives the highest costs and do higher wages offset them? Data-driven analysis.
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare any two states side by side with salary adjustment and per-category breakdowns.
Tax Burden by State
The full picture including income, property, and sales tax that the COLI misses.
Housing Costs
Median home prices, average rent, mortgage affordability, and rent vs buy analysis.
Best States to Retire
Cost, taxes, healthcare, and climate combined into a retirement-specific ranking.
Remote Worker Guide
Maximize your salary's purchasing power with the best states for remote work.
Salary Purchasing Power
What your salary actually buys in every state at $60k to $150k income levels.
Grocery Costs
Food prices compared across all 50 states with monthly spending estimates.
Healthcare Costs
Insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and quality scores by state.
Utility Costs
Electricity, gas, water, and internet compared across all 50 states.
Moving Guide
A data-driven decision framework for whether relocating to a cheaper state is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest state to live in?
Mississippi ranks as the cheapest state with an overall cost of living index of 83.3. The median home price is $257,000, average 2-bedroom rent is $810, and groceries, healthcare, and transportation all sit below the national average. West Virginia (84.1), Oklahoma (84.9), and Kansas (86.5) are close behind. However, cheap states tend to have lower median incomes -- Mississippi's median household income of $46,511 is the lowest in the nation. See our full cheapest states breakdown.
What is the most expensive state to live in?
Hawaii tops the list at 193.3, nearly double the national average. The median home price exceeds $978,000 and groceries cost 50% more than average due to import costs. In the contiguous US, Massachusetts (148.4) and California (142.2) are the most expensive, driven primarily by housing costs. However, these states also have some of the highest median incomes. See our most expensive states analysis.
Does the cost of living index include taxes?
No, the standard C2ER Cost of Living Index does not include state or local taxes. This is its biggest limitation. For example, Texas has no state income tax but has property tax rates averaging 1.60%, which can add thousands to annual costs. Oregon has no sales tax but income tax rates up to 9.9%. For the complete picture, see our tax burden by state page, which combines COLI with all major tax categories.
How do I compare the cost of living between two specific states?
Use our cost of living calculator to compare any two states side by side. Enter your current salary, select your current state and the state you're considering, and get an instant breakdown of the salary equivalent, per-category cost differences, and estimated annual savings or additional costs. The calculator uses C2ER sub-index data for housing, groceries, healthcare, utilities, and transportation.
What state has the lowest cost of living for families?
For families, the most affordable states include Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama, all with overall indices below 90. However, families should also weigh school quality, healthcare access, and job market strength. States like Iowa (89.0) and Indiana (89.4) offer a balance of low costs with stronger education systems and healthcare infrastructure. Iowa has one of the lowest uninsured rates at 4.8% and 2.5 hospitals per 100,000 residents.