People migrating for work, moving to another city, or simply planning a vacation can benefit from knowing the most expensive states to live in America. Understanding how much city life costs and why it’s so expensive can solve the movie’s problem.
It is undeniable that a country like the United States of America is made up of several states, each with its own level of education, professional opportunities and, of course, cost of living. Have you ever wondered if the state you live in is one of the most expensive in the country?
It may seem self-evident, but it is very important to consider the type of life you will lead there when deciding where to live. Expats must constantly consider the cost index when deciding where to live in the world, which is why we have compiled a list of the 10 most expensive cities in the world.
For people who want to stay in their home country, we have compiled a list of the ten most expensive states to live in the United States. The states were estimated based on average price data from the Public and Economic Research Council’s C2ER Cost of Living Index released in 2013.
Based on official survey data on spending patterns, this index measures the relative price levels of consumer goods and services in participating locations, given comparable costs. The average price shown for each item is compared to the previous three pricing periods, providing context when evaluating the evolution of each state. So let’s check out the countdown of America’s most expensive states to live in.
10 Most Expensive States to Live in America
Hawaii
The most expensive state to live in America is Hawaii. Hawaii’s magical appeal is defined by palm-fringed sandy beaches, a sweltering melting pot of cultures, and stunningly beautiful flora and fauna. However, all this luxury comes at a cost. Do you want to buy a house in Hawaii?
A loaf of bread will set you back over $5, or twice as much as in Kansas. In Kokomo, Indiana, a five-pound bag of potatoes costs four times as much.
On average, it will cost you $1 million. And that’s not all: a two-bedroom apartment will set you back almost $3,000 and your monthly electricity bill will be $455.51, about three times what you’d pay in some green California suburb.
State of New York
The Empire State is in second place. This shouldn’t come as a surprise in a state where a typical home costs $1.6 million (yes, you read that right) — Looking for a place to rent? Forget it; The median monthly rent for a decent two-room apartment is $4,200. Of course, since New York is so big, uneven recovery/growth is an important factor.
Although the unemployment rate has improved since the recession, New York City is struggling with an aging infrastructure and disproportionate growth. However, in places like Rochester (where the median property value is $287,000), life is startlingly easier than in Manhattan.
However, your monthly electricity bill will be over $160.
There are also 10 most expensive homes in the US in 2022, not just cities. Check them out.
California
No wonder California is one of the most expensive states in the country. The high cost of housing has long made this state one of the most expensive, but population growth is also a concern.
The median property value in the San Francisco metro is around $1 million, making it the third most expensive property.
California is also the poorest state in the US with $1.6 billion in debt. Although only 12% of the US population lives in California, it accounts for about a third of all aid recipients.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the fourth most expensive state in America. Grocery and health care spending in Massachusetts is well above the national norm, with health care spending above the national average by 25.9% and food spending by about 15.7%.
Boston is one of the top tourist attractions in the country. Boston is one of the nation’s top tourist attractions, with a robust higher education environment, a growing technology economy that rivals Silicon Valley, and historic sites dating back to the original colonies.
All of this adds up to a 6.8% jobless rate in and around Boston by December 2020, but residents of the city are paying a high price to live there.
The median home value is $685,000 and the median household income is $76,034. A family of four needs $10,000 of income to make ends meet.
Washington DC
The high cost of living in Washington DC is due to its status as the capital of the most powerful country in the world. Numerous federal agency think tanks, lobbying firms, and a thriving tourism industry all contribute to the city’s abundance of public and private sector jobs.
The median home value in the county is $692,000 and the median household income is about $79,696. In Washington, D.C., four families need $10,000 of income to make ends meet, just like in Boston.
Maryland
If you live in Maryland, you will surely agree with us when we say that your living expenses are huge.
It takes an average of just over $76,000 for a family of four in Maryland to lead a decent life and not turn to relatives, friends, or the government for help.
However, we can compare Maryland to Maryland in several areas. If you live in Hagerstown, it seems like $76,000 would be enough.
You won’t have fun, but you won’t be broken either. Enough to indulge in something fun from time to time. If you live in Worcester County, you can now earn much less, about $72,000 a year. If you are a Baltimore resident, you will need more.
Alaska
Alaska, Elk State, is new to this list, but it offers unrivaled natural beauty and a close-knit culture that you won’t find anywhere else. With just 760 farms, it’s no surprise that most vegetables and food are sourced from out of state.
Plus, it has a cascading effect on a host of other expenses. Anchorage, a loaf of bread that costs $1.79 in Iowa will set you back $4.68. But this is Alaska, a place of incredible wildlife. Paying utility bills ($201.39 for energy) and medical expenses is also difficult.
Extreme weather, long winter nights, and some truly sky-high living costs in Alaska create clear obstacles for Last Frontier residents.
Be prepared to pay more than five times the electricity bill in Fairbanks than in Oklahoma City. Even a can of tuna in Fort Wayne, Indiana will cost you almost twice as much.
We have both good and bad news in Alaska. The bad news is that if you plan to have many children in Alaska, your child care bills will skyrocket.
In Alaska, just one child costs over $10,000 a year, making this state the third most costly childcare in the nation. Of course, many Alaskans choose to raise their children at home.
For some reason, the cost of owning a car in Alaska is around $4,200 per year, which is also the third highest in the United States. While you don’t have to have a car in Alaska, you will need to find a way to get around, right?
The good news is that there is no income tax in Alaska, which is fantastic. As a result, Alaska has the lowest overall tax burden of any of the states we will study. Also, everyone in Alaska gets a check from the government because of the oil profits.
The Alaska Permanent Fund, that’s what it’s called. When oil prices were high a few years ago, four families received about $10,000!
Connecticut
Connecticut is next on our list of the most expensive states to live in America. Prescription drug prices in the state of Nutmeg are among the highest in the country. Insulin costs about twice as much in Stamford, Connecticut as it does in parts of Tennessee, according to C2ER researchers.
Doctor appointments cost about twice as much as in Tupelo, Mississippi. Of course, places like Bridgeport or New Haven will be significantly cheaper than Greenwich, where a comfortable lifestyle costs around $110,000 a year.
New Jersey
Where is the second most expensive place to live in the United States? It will be New Jersey, Garden State. The average spending of the top six — food, child care, cars, housing, medical care and taxes — is in the top five in Jersey. Health care costs in particular.
At nearly $7,700 a year for a family of four, New Jersey is tied with Massachusetts for the highest annual health care spending. As long as you don’t get sick, you should be fine. Housing costs are not to be taken lightly, especially rent.
Be prepared to pay around $900 a month each if you want to live in a two-bedroom apartment in Jersey. Did you know that New Jersey has the 6th highest income tax and the 6th highest property tax in the country? What is the first highest? Is there such a thing as a word?
In New Jersey, you and your spouse must earn about $75,000 a year, or $18.25 per person, to live in the lower middle class. A job as a small engine mechanic or dental assistant may be a good fit for you.
Oregon
Oregon joins its West Coast neighbors in the list of most expensive states thanks to high home prices — the average home costs about $350,000, according to Zillow. But now in Oregon everything is safe with the economy, so expensive living is somewhat easier for its residents.
Conclusion
In general, this concludes our journey through the most expensive states of America to live in. After the dust settled and the analysis was complete, we named Hawaii the most expensive state in America to live in for 2022.
If you live in one of the states mentioned above, you probably work a lot but have nothing to show. But, hey, as long as you’re safe, healthy, and have a glass of wine to take the edge off, you’ll be fine.
However, if you think about it, being expensive is probably a good thing because it indicates that people want to live there and that the economy is doing well.
Frequently Asked Questions About The 10 Most Expensive States To Live In America:
Which city has the lowest cost of living?
Irvine, California and San Jose, California have the best cost of living in America.
What is the cheapest state to live in America?
The cheapest state in America is Mississippi, where the average is 15% lower than the national average.
Which US state is the most expensive to live in, America?
The most expensive state to live in America is Hawaii with a value index of 196.3.