Cost of Living by State (2026): All 50 States Ranked
Where you live can swing your budget by thousands of dollars a month for the exact same lifestyle. In 2026, Hawaii is the most expensive state — about 85% above the national average — while Oklahoma is the cheapest at 16.5% below. Here's the full 50-state (plus DC) ranking using the cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100), and what actually drives the gaps. More in our Personal Finance Statistics Hub →
Cost of Living Index by State (2026) — All 50 States + DC
Composite index where 100 = U.S. average. A state at 120 is 20% more expensive than average; a state at 90 is 10% cheaper. Ranked most to least expensive.
| Rank | State | COL Index | vs. U.S. Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 184.8 | +84.8% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 147.8 | +47.8% |
| 3 | California | 140.5 | +40.5% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 134.3 | +34.3% |
| 5 | Alaska | 129.0 | +29.0% |
| 6 | New York | 124.7 | +24.7% |
| 7 | Maryland | 121.1 | +21.1% |
| 8 | New Jersey | 118.8 | +18.8% |
| 9 | Washington | 114.6 | +14.6% |
| 10 | Maine | 114.6 | +14.6% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 114.2 | +14.2% |
| 12 | Vermont | 113.0 | +13.0% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 111.2 | +11.2% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 110.1 | +10.1% |
| 15 | Oregon | 109.6 | +9.6% |
| 16 | Arizona | 107.6 | +7.6% |
| 17 | Montana | 105.9 | +5.9% |
| 18 | Colorado | 101.8 | +1.8% |
| 19 | Delaware | 101.7 | +1.7% |
| 19 | Idaho | 101.7 | +1.7% |
| 21 | Florida | 100.7 | +0.7% |
| 21 | Nevada | 100.7 | +0.7% |
| 23 | Utah | 100.6 | +0.6% |
| 24 | Virginia | 99.1 | −0.9% |
| 25 | Wisconsin | 97.4 | −2.6% |
| 26 | North Carolina | 96.6 | −3.4% |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | 96.2 | −3.8% |
| 28 | Illinois | 95.1 | −4.9% |
| 29 | South Dakota | 94.1 | −5.9% |
| 30 | Michigan | 93.9 | −6.1% |
| 31 | Ohio | 93.7 | −6.3% |
| 32 | Wyoming | 93.7 | −6.3% |
| 33 | Minnesota | 93.4 | −6.6% |
| 34 | Kentucky | 92.5 | −7.5% |
| 35 | South Carolina | 91.9 | −8.1% |
| 36 | Nebraska | 91.3 | −8.7% |
| 37 | Louisiana | 91.1 | −8.9% |
| 38 | North Dakota | 90.7 | −9.3% |
| 39 | Texas | 90.7 | −9.3% |
| 40 | Georgia | 90.6 | −9.4% |
| 41 | New Mexico | 89.9 | −10.1% |
| 42 | Arkansas | 89.1 | −10.9% |
| 43 | Tennessee | 88.9 | −11.1% |
| 44 | Iowa | 88.6 | −11.4% |
| 44 | Missouri | 88.6 | −11.4% |
| 46 | Indiana | 88.3 | −11.7% |
| 47 | West Virginia | 87.9 | −12.1% |
| 48 | Kansas | 87.6 | −12.4% |
| 49 | Mississippi | 86.2 | −13.8% |
| 50 | Alabama | 85.0 | −15.0% |
| 51 | Oklahoma | 83.5 | −16.5% |
Composite cost-of-living index, C2ER Cost of Living Index published by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Q1 2026 (U.S. average = 100). Covers all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Tied ranks share a position.
Cost of Living — Visual
📌 Key Insight
Housing drives almost the entire gap. Groceries, utilities, and gas vary only modestly between states, but the housing index runs from the high 60s in the cheapest states to over 300 in Hawaii. That means the same $70,000 salary can feel comfortable in Mississippi and stretched thin in Honolulu or the Bay Area — the difference is almost entirely what you pay for a roof over your head.
Does a Higher Salary Make Up for It?
High-cost states usually pay more — but not always enough to close the gap. When you adjust pay for local costs, some lower-cost states actually offer stronger real purchasing power than famous high-wage states. See our average salary by state guide, which ranks states on cost-of-living-adjusted income, and our average rent by state breakdown.
See What You'd Actually Take Home
Compare salaries and rent state by state to find where your money goes furthest — then budget around it.
Salary by State → Best Budgeting AppsFrequently Asked Questions
Hawaii, at roughly 85% above the U.S. average (index ~185). Massachusetts, California, New York, and Alaska follow. Housing is the main driver.
Oklahoma, at 16.5% below the national average (index 83.5), followed by Alabama (85.0) and Mississippi (86.2). Kansas, West Virginia, and Indiana are also among the cheapest.
The U.S. average is set to 100. A state at 120 is 20% pricier than average; 85 is 15% cheaper. It blends housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare, with housing weighted most heavily.
Housing is the largest share of most budgets and the most variable — the housing index spans from the high 60s to over 300. That's why it swings the overall index more than any other category.
Not always. A $70,000 salary stretches much further in Mississippi than in Hawaii or California. Compare pay to local costs — our salary-by-state guide ranks states after adjusting for cost of living.