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Mapped: The States Where Living Costs the Most—and Least
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Key Takeaways
- Hawaii is the most expensive state, with costs 84% above the U.S. average.
- Oklahoma is the cheapest, with living costs 15% below the national baseline.
- A clear regional divide emerges, with Southern states generally more affordable than coastal markets.
Living costs vary widely across the United States, shaping how far a paycheck goes from one state to another. In the most expensive states, everyday expenses run far above the national average, while in lower-cost states, incomes stretch significantly further.
Using 2025 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, this map shows the cost of living index in every state, with the U.S. set at a baseline of 100. Housing is the biggest driver of these differences, though taxes, utilities, and healthcare also play a major role.
The map also reveals a strong regional pattern, with much of the South and Midwest below the national average, while coastal states dominate the high-cost end.
The Most Expensive States in America
Hawaii is the most expensive state in America, with living costs roughly double those in Texas and 84% above the national average.
In Q4 2025, the average home sale price reached $906K, up from $668K in Q4 2019. This surge shows how housing remains the single biggest factor behind high living costs. In addition, Hawaii residents face the highest tax burden nationally when property, income, and sales taxes are combined.
This table shows the cost of living index by state in 2025, using the U.S. as a baseline of 100.
| Rank | State | Cost of Living Index (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 183.9 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 148.5 |
| 3 | California | 143.1 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 137.8 |
| 5 | Alaska | 126.7 |
| 6 | New York | 125.8 |
| 7 | Maryland | 117.4 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 115.3 |
| 9 | Connecticut | 114.0 |
| 10 | Maine | 114.0 |
| 11 | Vermont | 113.5 |
| 12 | Washington | 112.9 |
| 13 | Oregon | 112.8 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 110.7 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 110.5 |
| 16 | Arizona | 110.3 |
| 17 | Delaware | 103.1 |
| 18 | Colorado | 103.1 |
| 19 | Virginia | 102.2 |
| 20 | Florida | 101.4 |
| 21 | Nevada | 99.7 |
| 22 | Utah | 99.5 |
| 23 | Idaho | 99.3 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | 98.5 |
| 25 | North Carolina | 97.9 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | 97.1 |
| 27 | Montana | 96.8 |
| 28 | Illinois | 95.0 |
| 29 | Wyoming | 94.6 |
| 30 | Ohio | 94.6 |
| 31 | New Mexico | 93.7 |
| 32 | Minnesota | 93.6 |
| 33 | Louisiana | 92.9 |
| 34 | South Carolina | 92.7 |
| 35 | Georgia | 92.2 |
| 36 | Michigan | 91.9 |
| 37 | Nebraska | 91.8 |
| 38 | South Dakota | 91.8 |
| 39 | Kentucky | 91.5 |
| 40 | Texas | 91.1 |
| 41 | North Dakota | 91.1 |
| 42 | Indiana | 90.7 |
| 43 | Arkansas | 90.1 |
| 44 | Tennessee | 90.1 |
| 45 | Iowa | 89.8 |
| 46 | Missouri | 88.9 |
| 47 | Kansas | 88.4 |
| 48 | Alabama | 88.1 |
| 49 | West Virginia | 88.0 |
| 50 | Mississippi | 86.0 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | 84.7 |
Massachusetts follows, with prices 49% above the U.S. baseline. Beyond high housing costs, expensive healthcare and utilities drive up prices, at 34% and 55% above the national average, respectively.
Meanwhile, California residents pay 43% higher costs overall, with Washington, D.C. (38%) and Alaska (27%) rounding out the top five.
As cost disparities widen, these high-cost states continue to face outmigration pressures, while lower-cost regions gain population and economic momentum.
The Most Affordable States
Oklahoma is the least expensive state in the country, with prices 15% below the U.S. average.
With the most affordable home prices nationwide, housing costs are 31% below the national average, making it a key driver of overall affordability. This pattern is consistent across much of the Southern U.S., where lower housing costs anchor overall living expenses.
Alabama has the fourth-lowest cost of living in the country, with home prices about 29% below the national average.
In 2025, it saw among the highest net immigration rates per capita, highlighting how affordability is increasingly driving domestic migration trends. Other affordable states like Tennessee and Arkansas also experienced strong per capita inflows.
Together, these patterns highlight how affordability is reshaping where Americans live, as lower-cost states attract residents looking to stretch their income further amid ongoing housing and inflation pressures.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on average salary by state.