Lowest cost
83.5
Oklahoma
State comparison tools
🇺🇸MERIC Q1 2026 · C2ER COLI
Cost of Living by State
Compare statewide cost-of-living indexes, category drivers, and the salary needed to maintain similar purchasing power across all 50 states and DC.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
83.5
Lowest (Oklahoma)
100
US average index
184.8
Highest (Hawaii)
51
States + DC covered
Cost of living quick facts
US average
100
Index baseline
Highest cost
184.8
Hawaii
Head-to-head
Compare cost of living between two states
Compare composite indexes, category drivers, and the salary needed to keep similar purchasing power after a move.
Compare any two states
Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
All states + DC
Cost of living rankings by state
Rank #1 is the lowest cost of living. Values are MERIC Q1 2026 averages of participating C2ER urban areas. 100 equals the US average.
| Rank | State | Index | Grocery | Housing | Utilities | Transport | Health | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Oklahoma | 83.5 | 93.5 | 66.9 | 94.5 | 83.7 | 98.1 | 88.8 |
| #2 |  Alabama | 85 | 95 | 67.7 | 96.9 | 88.8 | 85.6 | 91.8 |
| #3 |  Mississippi | 86.2 | 93.2 | 71 | 94.4 | 89.8 | 85.1 | 93.7 |
| #4 |  Kansas | 87.6 | 95.3 | 77.5 | 97.4 | 88 | 90.6 | 90.1 |
| #5 |  West Virginia | 87.9 | 96.2 | 71.3 | 90.4 | 99.5 | 89.5 | 94.9 |
| #6 |  Indiana | 88.3 | 97.9 | 73 | 95.2 | 95.7 | 91.5 | 93.5 |
| #7 |  Iowa | 88.6 | 96.6 | 75.6 | 88.6 | 93.7 | 94.3 | 94.5 |
| #7 |  Missouri | 88.6 | 94.7 | 76.1 | 92.4 | 86.5 | 98 | 95.2 |
| #9 |  Tennessee | 88.9 | 95.8 | 80.3 | 84.5 | 87.2 | 88.7 | 95 |
| #10 |  Arkansas | 89.1 | 93.4 | 77.2 | 98.3 | 88.8 | 85.8 | 95.7 |
| #11 |  New Mexico | 89.9 | 96 | 83.2 | 80 | 89.5 | 101.9 | 94 |
| #12 |  Georgia | 90.6 | 96.9 | 77.6 | 98.6 | 96.3 | 99.6 | 94.3 |
| #13 |  North Dakota | 90.7 | 94.1 | 77.2 | 86.4 | 96.7 | 107.7 | 98.3 |
| #13 |  Texas | 90.7 | 95.9 | 77.7 | 104 | 90.9 | 96.8 | 95.6 |
| #15 |  Louisiana | 91.1 | 95.4 | 83.3 | 82.3 | 94.4 | 91.6 | 97.3 |
| #16 |  Nebraska | 91.3 | 99.5 | 78.1 | 92.1 | 87.4 | 105.6 | 97.9 |
| #17 |  South Carolina | 91.9 | 98.6 | 79.8 | 95.1 | 94.6 | 97.6 | 97.3 |
| #18 |  Kentucky | 92.5 | 101.4 | 78.1 | 87.8 | 95.8 | 92.4 | 101.6 |
| #19 |  Minnesota | 93.4 | 98.8 | 79.5 | 95.4 | 93.6 | 111.5 | 100 |
| #20 |  Ohio | 93.7 | 98.9 | 86.3 | 100.9 | 92.7 | 96.5 | 96 |
| #20 |  Wyoming | 93.7 | 98.9 | 86.5 | 92.4 | 87.7 | 97 | 99.3 |
| #22 |  Michigan | 93.9 | 100.1 | 85.7 | 98 | 98.5 | 88.2 | 97 |
| #23 |  South Dakota | 94.1 | 97.6 | 88.2 | 85.4 | 100.1 | 104.1 | 96.9 |
| #24 |  Illinois | 95.1 | 99.2 | 84.7 | 102.6 | 97 | 103 | 98.9 |
| #25 |  Pennsylvania | 96.2 | 99 | 84.1 | 108.4 | 104.2 | 95.1 | 100.5 |
| #26 |  North Carolina | 96.6 | 100.8 | 91.7 | 94.3 | 92.3 | 108.4 | 99.2 |
| #27 |  Wisconsin | 97.4 | 100.9 | 96.6 | 96 | 89.8 | 105.3 | 97.7 |
| #28 |  Virginia | 99.1 | 99.3 | 99.1 | 99.5 | 98 | 96.9 | 99.6 |
| #29 |  Utah | 100.6 | 98.6 | 110.8 | 84.4 | 96.2 | 89.9 | 99.2 |
| #30 |  Florida | 100.7 | 105.7 | 101.1 | 94.6 | 99.5 | 101.4 | 99.8 |
| #30 |  Nevada | 100.7 | 103.8 | 110.5 | 81.3 | 115.6 | 105.4 | 91.1 |
| #32 |  Delaware | 101.7 | 103.6 | 101.3 | 97.5 | 99.6 | 101.6 | 102.9 |
| #32 |  Idaho | 101.7 | 103.4 | 105.1 | 73.4 | 101 | 101.6 | 105.3 |
| #34 |  Colorado | 101.8 | 100.9 | 107.4 | 88.7 | 89.1 | 103.9 | 103.5 |
| #35 |  Montana | 105.9 | 102.4 | 113.2 | 80.2 | 103.9 | 106.3 | 108 |
| #36 |  Arizona | 107.6 | 99.6 | 119 | 102.1 | 103.5 | 98.8 | 104.9 |
| #37 |  Oregon | 109.6 | 104.5 | 117.4 | 96.3 | 115.4 | 115.3 | 106.1 |
| #38 |  New Hampshire | 110.1 | 100 | 116.5 | 116.4 | 106 | 106.5 | 108.8 |
| #39 |  Rhode Island | 111.2 | 103.8 | 114.4 | 122.3 | 103.1 | 104.1 | 111.9 |
| #40 |  Vermont | 113 | 99.6 | 127.5 | 112 | 109 | 108.2 | 108.2 |
| #41 |  Connecticut | 114.2 | 106 | 123.5 | 126.5 | 105.6 | 108.9 | 109.6 |
| #42 |  Maine | 114.6 | 101.6 | 134.8 | 124.6 | 104.4 | 114.7 | 102.7 |
| #42 |  Washington | 114.6 | 106.1 | 123.1 | 99.4 | 131.2 | 110.3 | 111 |
| #44 |  New Jersey | 118.8 | 109.1 | 144.3 | 110.3 | 103.8 | 115.8 | 107 |
| #45 |  Maryland | 121.1 | 109.3 | 149.1 | 113.2 | 106.3 | 106.9 | 109.5 |
| #46 |  New York | 124.7 | 100.3 | 172.3 | 102.2 | 111.5 | 108.9 | 104.9 |
| #47 |  Alaska | 129 | 126.6 | 132.4 | 148.4 | 123.8 | 130.7 | 123.1 |
| #48 | District of Columbia | 134.3 | 109.2 | 190.4 | 107.8 | 105.8 | 118.7 | 112.4 |
| #49 |  California | 140.5 | 110.5 | 189.5 | 134.6 | 142 | 111.1 | 116 |
| #50 |  Massachusetts | 147.8 | 106.8 | 217.5 | 143.9 | 108.5 | 131.8 | 118.3 |
| #51 |  Hawaii | 184.8 | 136.3 | 302.4 | 183.5 | 149 | 113.1 | 122.7 |
#1Oklahoma
83.5OklahomaHousing 66.9Grocery 93.5Utils 94.5
#2Alabama
85AlabamaHousing 67.7Grocery 95Utils 96.9
#3Mississippi
86.2MississippiHousing 71Grocery 93.2Utils 94.4
#4Kansas
87.6KansasHousing 77.5Grocery 95.3Utils 97.4
#5West Virginia
87.9West VirginiaHousing 71.3Grocery 96.2Utils 90.4
#6Indiana
88.3IndianaHousing 73Grocery 97.9Utils 95.2
#7Iowa
88.6IowaHousing 75.6Grocery 96.6Utils 88.6
#7Missouri
88.6MissouriHousing 76.1Grocery 94.7Utils 92.4
#9Tennessee
88.9TennesseeHousing 80.3Grocery 95.8Utils 84.5
#10Arkansas
89.1ArkansasHousing 77.2Grocery 93.4Utils 98.3
#11New Mexico
89.9New MexicoHousing 83.2Grocery 96Utils 80
#12Georgia
90.6GeorgiaHousing 77.6Grocery 96.9Utils 98.6
#13North Dakota
90.7North DakotaHousing 77.2Grocery 94.1Utils 86.4
#13Texas
90.7TexasHousing 77.7Grocery 95.9Utils 104
#15Louisiana
91.1LouisianaHousing 83.3Grocery 95.4Utils 82.3
#16Nebraska
91.3NebraskaHousing 78.1Grocery 99.5Utils 92.1
#17South Carolina
91.9South CarolinaHousing 79.8Grocery 98.6Utils 95.1
#18Kentucky
92.5KentuckyHousing 78.1Grocery 101.4Utils 87.8
#19Minnesota
93.4MinnesotaHousing 79.5Grocery 98.8Utils 95.4
#20Ohio
93.7OhioHousing 86.3Grocery 98.9Utils 100.9
#20Wyoming
93.7WyomingHousing 86.5Grocery 98.9Utils 92.4
#22Michigan
93.9MichiganHousing 85.7Grocery 100.1Utils 98
#23South Dakota
94.1South DakotaHousing 88.2Grocery 97.6Utils 85.4
#24Illinois
95.1IllinoisHousing 84.7Grocery 99.2Utils 102.6
#25Pennsylvania
96.2PennsylvaniaHousing 84.1Grocery 99Utils 108.4
#26North Carolina
96.6North CarolinaHousing 91.7Grocery 100.8Utils 94.3
#27Wisconsin
97.4WisconsinHousing 96.6Grocery 100.9Utils 96
#28Virginia
99.1VirginiaHousing 99.1Grocery 99.3Utils 99.5
#29Utah
100.6UtahHousing 110.8Grocery 98.6Utils 84.4
#30Florida
100.7FloridaHousing 101.1Grocery 105.7Utils 94.6
#30Nevada
100.7NevadaHousing 110.5Grocery 103.8Utils 81.3
#32Delaware
101.7DelawareHousing 101.3Grocery 103.6Utils 97.5
#32Idaho
101.7IdahoHousing 105.1Grocery 103.4Utils 73.4
#34Colorado
101.8ColoradoHousing 107.4Grocery 100.9Utils 88.7
#35Montana
105.9MontanaHousing 113.2Grocery 102.4Utils 80.2
#36Arizona
107.6ArizonaHousing 119Grocery 99.6Utils 102.1
#37Oregon
109.6OregonHousing 117.4Grocery 104.5Utils 96.3
#38New Hampshire
110.1New HampshireHousing 116.5Grocery 100Utils 116.4
#39Rhode Island
111.2Rhode IslandHousing 114.4Grocery 103.8Utils 122.3
#40Vermont
113VermontHousing 127.5Grocery 99.6Utils 112
#41Connecticut
114.2ConnecticutHousing 123.5Grocery 106Utils 126.5
#42Maine
114.6MaineHousing 134.8Grocery 101.6Utils 124.6
#42Washington
114.6WashingtonHousing 123.1Grocery 106.1Utils 99.4
#44New Jersey
118.8New JerseyHousing 144.3Grocery 109.1Utils 110.3
#45Maryland
121.1MarylandHousing 149.1Grocery 109.3Utils 113.2
#46New York
124.7New YorkHousing 172.3Grocery 100.3Utils 102.2
#47Alaska
129AlaskaHousing 132.4Grocery 126.6Utils 148.4
#48District of Columbia
134.3Housing 190.4Grocery 109.2Utils 107.8
#49California
140.5CaliforniaHousing 189.5Grocery 110.5Utils 134.6
#50Massachusetts
147.8MassachusettsHousing 217.5Grocery 106.8Utils 143.9
#51Hawaii
184.8HawaiiHousing 302.4Grocery 136.3Utils 183.5
Highest and lowest cost-of-living states
Purchasing power
Salary needed for the same lifestyle
These examples convert a $100,000 US-average lifestyle into approximate statewide salaries using destination index ÷ 100. They are planning illustrations, not household budgets.
| State | Index | Salary for $100k US lifestyle |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 83.5 | $83,500 |
| Texas | 90.7 | $90,700 |
| Florida | 100.7 | $100,700 |
| California | 140.5 | $140,500 |
| Hawaii | 184.8 | $184,800 |
What the category indexes measure
The composite score blends six C2ER categories. Housing usually drives the largest gaps between states.
Grocery
Food-at-home prices for a standard market basket.
Housing
Apartment rents and related shelter costs in surveyed areas.
Utilities
Electricity, other household utility costs in the survey.
Transportation
Gasoline and related transportation price components.
Health care
Selected medical and health-care service prices.
Misc. goods & services
Clothing, entertainment, and other consumer items.
Reading the data
How to interpret a cost-of-living index
The index compares prices with a national baseline of 100. Index points are relative price levels—not dollars, tax rates, or the percentage of income a household must spend.
90
Below the US average
A representative market basket costs about 10% less than the national benchmark.
100
At the US average
The price level matches the national baseline used by the C2ER index.
120
Above the US average
A comparable market basket costs about 20% more than the national benchmark.
Example: moving from an index of 90 to 120 is not a 30% increase. The comparable increase is 120 ÷ 90 − 1, or about 33.3%.
Household context
How cost of living affects different households
The composite ranking uses one standard market basket. The most important category for your household depends on where you live, what you own, and which services you need.
Renters
Compare local rent, deposits, renter insurance, utilities, parking, and commute costs.
Homeowners
Add home prices, mortgage rates, property tax, insurance, maintenance, and association fees.
Families
Childcare, healthcare, groceries, housing size, and school choices can outweigh the average.
Remote workers
Compare local prices with employer pay policies, state taxes, workspace, and travel needs.
Cost of living vs. salary, taxes, and quality of life
A lower index does not automatically produce more disposable income. Use the price comparison as one layer of a move decision, then evaluate earnings and location-specific costs separately.
Salary determines buying power
A lower-cost state can still leave less disposable income if available wages are substantially lower.
Taxes are a separate comparison
Income, sales, and property taxes are not represented by one consumer-price index and vary by household.
Value received is personal
Schools, healthcare access, commute time, climate, amenities, and job opportunities are outside the index.
Methodology
How state cost-of-living indexes are determined
Cities and metro areas volunteer price data to C2ER. MERIC averages those urban-area indexes by state to create a comparable statewide score for Q1 2026.
Equivalent-salary formula
Current salary × destination index
Origin index
- 1
Survey prices
Participating urban areas collect prices for a defined market basket.
- 2
Build metro indexes
C2ER converts local prices into indexes relative to the US average.
- 3
Average by state
MERIC averages participating metros to produce each state score.
- 4
Compare carefully
Use the result for statewide planning, then check local housing and taxes.
Important limitations
Not every city participates every quarter. Rural areas may be underrepresented. The index does not measure wages, taxes, insurance risk, or quality of public services.
Cost-of-living checklist before moving states
Convert your current salary with destination index ÷ origin index.
Compare after-tax pay, not only the cost-of-living adjustment.
Price local rent or homeownership—not only the statewide housing index.
Check utilities, insurance, childcare, and healthcare separately.
Review sales, property, and total tax burden for the destination state.
Confirm job market and wage levels before assuming a lower index helps.
Cost of living by state FAQs
Oklahoma has the lowest composite index in MERIC's First Quarter 2026 table at 83.5, followed by Alabama at 85.0 and Mississippi at 86.2.
Hawaii has the highest composite index at 184.8, followed by Massachusetts at 147.8 and California at 140.5. Washington, DC is 134.3.
100 is the US average. An index of 90 means prices are about 10% below the national average overall; 110 means about 10% above.
MERIC averages C2ER Cost of Living Index results for participating cities and metro areas in each state across grocery, housing, utilities, transportation, health, and miscellaneous goods and services.
The C2ER survey measures consumer prices for a market basket of goods and services. It is not a tax-burden ranking. Compare sales, property, and total tax burden pages separately.
State figures average participating urban areas. Large metro, coastal, rural, and resort markets inside the same state can diverge substantially, especially for housing.
Multiply your current salary by the destination index divided by the origin index. Example: $100,000 × (destination ÷ origin). Then compare after-tax pay and housing separately.
Often yes. Housing indexes range more widely than groceries or health care in the MERIC table, which is why two states with similar grocery indexes can still have very different composite scores.
No. Pair the index with wages, taxes, insurance, healthcare access, schools, commute, and job opportunities. A lower price level with much lower pay may not improve purchasing power.
MERIC publishes quarterly updates based on the C2ER survey. This guide uses First Quarter 2026 figures.
Index values match MERIC Q1 2026. Our ranks cover the 50 states and DC only (excluding Puerto Rico) and use competition ranking for tied indexes, so mid-table rank numbers can differ by one or two from MERIC's published list even when the composite index is identical.
Not automatically. The index compares prices, not wages, amenities, climate, public services, or personal preferences.
Use them for statewide comparison and salary planning, then verify local rents, home prices, utilities, and taxes for the specific destination.
No. A cost-of-living index compares price levels between locations at one point in time. Inflation measures how prices change over time. A high-cost state can have low current inflation, and a lower-cost state can experience faster price growth.
The methodology is related, but the geography differs. These pages use MERIC statewide indexes, while the relocation calculator uses city-level estimates because costs can vary substantially within a state.
Use the composite and housing indexes to narrow options, then compare current rent, deposits, renter insurance, utilities, parking, and commuting costs for specific neighborhoods.
Add home prices, mortgage rates, property tax, homeowners insurance, maintenance, utilities, and association fees. The consumer-price index alone does not estimate the full monthly cost of owning a home.
Related planning tools
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages only; not financial advice or a personal budget.