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Most expensive states to live in

The states where the same basket of goods, services and rent costs the most, with what housing runs in each.1

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

The 15 most expensive states

Longer bar = higher prices. The line marks the US average.1,2,3
  1. 1California11% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,239
    Typical home
    $725,000
    Mortgage
    $3,984/mo
  2. 2Hawaii10% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,010
    Typical home
    $732,450
    Mortgage
    $4,025/mo
  3. 3District of Columbia10% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,541
    Typical home
    No data
    Mortgage
    No data
  4. 4New Jersey9% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,990
    Typical home
    $559,500
    Mortgage
    $3,075/mo
  5. 5New York8% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,729
    Typical home
    $605,000
    Mortgage
    $3,325/mo
  6. 6Washington7% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,885
    Typical home
    $639,475
    Mortgage
    $3,514/mo
  7. 7Massachusetts6% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,121
    Typical home
    $714,250
    Mortgage
    $3,925/mo
  8. 8Maryland5% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,834
    Typical home
    $425,000
    Mortgage
    $2,336/mo
  9. 9New Hampshire4% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,867
    Typical home
    $590,000
    Mortgage
    $3,242/mo
  10. 10Connecticut4% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,772
    Typical home
    $522,500
    Mortgage
    $2,871/mo
Show 5 more
  1. 11Florida3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,873
    Typical home
    $409,950
    Mortgage
    $2,253/mo
  2. 12Oregon3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,650
    Typical home
    $550,000
    Mortgage
    $3,022/mo
  3. 13Colorado3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,900
    Typical home
    $564,000
    Mortgage
    $3,099/mo
  4. 14Alaska2% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,506
    Typical home
    $435,000
    Mortgage
    $2,391/mo
  5. 15Rhode Island2% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,701
    Typical home
    $569,900
    Mortgage
    $3,132/mo

Where the same life costs less

The five cheapest states, for comparison.1
StatePrices vs US2-bed rentTypical home
Arkansas13% cheaper than average$1,014$318,743
Mississippi13% cheaper than average$1,016$292,250
Iowa12% cheaper than average$1,049$284,900
Oklahoma12% cheaper than average$1,085$296,643
Louisiana12% cheaper than average$1,105$270,000

Cheapest states to live in · Compare any two states

Expensive states: questions people ask

What is the most expensive state to live in?

California, where everyday prices run 11% above the US average, followed by Hawaii and District of Columbia (BEA regional price parities, 2024).

What are the 10 most expensive states?

California, Hawaii, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, Connecticut, ranked by BEA price levels for 2024.

What is the cheapest state to live in?

Arkansas, with prices 13% below the US average. See the full ranking of the cheapest states.

Cost of living in the priciest states

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Cost of living rank: BEA regional price parities for all items, 2024, where the US average is 100.
  2. 2Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units (rent plus utilities), statewide. Census table
  3. 3Homes: median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026. Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA. Rate source
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