According to a survey conducted by Yahoo Finance and Marist Poll, 47% percent of Americans cite the cost of living as their biggest obstacle to saving money. But some parts of the country are hit harder by rising prices than others, and where you live plays a key role in the cost of everyday essentials, from eggs at the grocery store to your monthly rent.
The following map shows how the cost of living compares by state according to an index developed by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) using 2024 data (the most recent available).
The index is set relative to a baseline of 100, which represents the national average. If a state's index is above 100, it means living there is more expensive than the baseline; if the index is below 100, it means the cost of living is lower than the baseline.
California has the highest cost of living in the country -- 10.7% higher than the national average. And the primary driver is housing costs, especially in metropolitan areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles. In California, the regional price parity (RPP) for housing rents is 110.7, meaning housing costs are 10.7% above the national average.
Hawaii's cost of living is a close second to California at 10% higher than the national average. That's largely due to the state's more remote location, which requires that many goods be imported, driving up the prices. Plus, limited land availability and high demand for housing contribute to higher living costs.
The nation's capital has the third-highest cost of living -- 9.9% higher than the national average. This is also largely due to exceptionally high housing costs, as well as utility prices.
New Jersey's cost of living exceeds the national average by 8.8%. Proximity to major urban areas like New York City contributes to higher housing costs, and the cost of goods in the state are some of the highest in the country.
New York rounds out our list of the top five states with the highest cost of living at 7.9% higher than the national average. And you might notice a theme: high housing costs driven by high demand and limited available housing, paired with higher taxes and insurance costs, make it one of the most expensive states to live in.
Arkansas holds the title of the state with the lowest cost of living -- 13.1% lower than the national average. This is thanks, in large part, to low housing costs. In fact, Arkansas has some of the least expensive housing in the country, only behind Mississippi and West Virginia. Even so, personal expenditures in the state rose a modest 2% year over year.
Mississippi's cost of living is 13% lower than the national average. Personal expenditures increased just over 1% year over year, and housing and utilities costs remain some of the lowest in the country.
Iowa's cost of living is 12.2% lower than the national average, making it one of the most affordable states to live in. Like other states on the list, housing costs are relatively low in this state because there is a lower demand for it. Additionally, lower everyday costs help maintain this state's ranking as one of the most affordable states to live.
The cost of living in Oklahoma is also 12.2% below the national average. In addition to lower housing costs, Oklahoma benefits from relatively low prices on goods and services, contributing to its overall lower cost of living.
Louisiana has one of the lowest costs of living at 11.8% below the national average. The state benefits from low housing costs, as well as some of the cheapest goods in the country.
Your state's cost of living can significantly impact your ability to afford daily essentials, save money, and reach your financial goals.