How expensive is it to live where you do?

 

My perspective here is a bit skewed because prior to living here, I went from New Jersey - to the US Virgin Islands - and back to Jersey,  so damn near anything here is exponentially less expense than those two former domiciles for us. Fuck - if we had to, we could live on just our SSI checks - although steak and a few other things would be out of the equation. Anyway, how bad is it where you live?

According to the Visual Capitalist website, 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 Council for Community & Economic Research via 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.

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This is a great deal. Other sizes also available at similar savings.

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