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Contrasts of America

where life is a luxury, yet comfort is still affordable.

Cost index: 94
top 5
The most
expensive states
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
An Education Hub with High Salaries!
Massachusetts
Cost of Living:
$53,860
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,806 / month
Transportation Costs:
$5,699 / year
Average Salary:
$80,329 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$4,787 / year
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$1.80
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$8.80
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$5.50
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$4.00
fun fact:

Boston is considered one of the most innovative cities in the U.S., but the cost of living is high due to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT.

California
California
California
The Golden State with Skyrocketing Prices!
California
Cost of Living:
$53,171
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,956 / month
Transportation Costs:
$6,597 / year
Average Salary:
$76,960 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$5,262 / year
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$1.90
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$9.00
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$6.00
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$4.50
fun fact:

California has the highest gas prices in the U.S. – over $5 per gallon, and housing costs in San Francisco and Los Angeles can shock even wealthy Americans!

New York
New York
New York
A City of Big Dreams and Even Bigger Expenses!
New York
Cost of Living:
$49,623
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,745 / month
Transportation Costs:
$4,769 / year
Average Salary:
$78,624 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$4,696/year
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$2.00
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$8.50
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$6.50
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$4.75
fun fact:

New York City has one of the most expensive public transport systems in the U.S., yet over half of its residents don't own a car!

Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
Remote Beauty Comes at a Cost!
Alaska
Cost of Living:
$48,670
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,269 / month
Transportation Costs:
$5,708 / year
Average Salary:
$66,130 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$5,002 / year
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$2.30
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$9.50
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$6.25
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$4.75
fun fact:

Because of its remote location, Alaska has some of the highest shipping and utility costs in the U.S. — especially in rural areas only accessible by plane or boat!

Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii
A Paradise with a Sky-High Price!
Hawaii
Cost of Living:
$55,491
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$2,423 / month
Transportation Costs:
$7,458 / year
(40% above average)
Average Salary:
$65,041 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$5,886 / year
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$2.50
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$10.00
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$7.00
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$5.00
fun fact:

Hawaii residents spend a significant portion of their income on transportation, as most goods are imported from the mainland!

Globus
top 5
The cheapest
states
Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi
The Most Affordable State in the U.S.!
Mississippi
Cost of Living:
$32,336
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,095 / month
Transportation Costs:
$4,836 / year
Average Salary:
$47,569.60 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$3,812
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$3.29
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$2.50
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$1.50
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$3.00
fun fact:

California has the highest gas prices in the U.S. - over $5 per gallon, and housing costs in San Francisco and Los Angeles can shock even wealthy Americans!

Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Affordable Living with Southern Charm!
Arkansas
Cost of Living:
$32,979
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,008 / month
Transportation Costs:
$5,050 / year
Average Salary:
$51,251.20 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$3,745
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$3.20
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$2.40
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$1.45
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$2.90
fun fact:

Arkansas is home to the world’s first Walmart store, which opened in 1962 in the small town of Rogers.

Alabama
Alabama
Alabama
Low Costs and Rich History!
Alabama
Cost of Living:
$33,654
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,062 / month
Transportation Costs:
$5,050 / year
Average Salary:
$53,393.60 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$3,785
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$3.25
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$2.45
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$1.48
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$2.95
fun fact:

Alabama is where the first-ever rocket that sent humans to the moon was designed—at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Where Living Costs Are as Low as the Plains!
Oklahoma
Cost of Living:
$33,966
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,071 / month
Transportation Costs:
$5,055 / year
Average Salary:
$53,456.00 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$3,683
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$3.15
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$2.35
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$1.40
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$2.85
fun fact:

Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state in the U.S., making it a hidden paradise for fishing and water sports.

New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico
Breathtaking Scenery at an Affordable Price!
New Mexico
Cost of Living:
$34,501
Average Rent: (1-bedroom)
$1,264 / month
Transportation Costs:
$4,970 / year
Average Salary:
$57,512.00 / year
Annual Food Cost:
$4,531
Examples of Grocery Prices:
Milk
Milk: (1 gallon)
$3.50
Milk
Chicken breast: (1 kg)
$2.60
Milk
Eggs: (dozen)
$1.60
Milk
Bread: (500g)
$3.10
fun fact:

New Mexico is famous for its stunning desert landscapes, and it's the only state where you can find both white sand dunes and ancient volcanic craters.

Cost of Living Calculator
How Many Days Can You Afford
to Live in Each U.S. State?
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California
California California
Cost of Living: $33,654
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California California
Cost of Living: $33,654
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California California
Cost of Living: $33,654
Where to Live - It's Not Just a Choice, It's a Budget Question
America is a Land of Contrasts: Life in a Bustling Metropolis or do you prefer living in Town?
Big Cities
LIVING LARGE BUT PAYING BIG
  • California California
  • Hawaii Hawaii
  • New York New York
  • Massachusetts Massachusetts
  • New Jersey New Jersey
  • Average Rent: $2,000-$2,500+ / month
  • Groceries: +30-60% higher than the US average
  • Average salary: $75,000–$85,000+ / year
Small Cities
MORE DAYS, MORE SAVINGS
  • Mississippi Mississippi
  • Arkansas Arkansas
  • Alabama Alabama
  • Oklahoma Oklahoma
  • New Mexico New Mexico
  • Average Rent: $1,000-$1,300 / month
  • Groceries: 15-30% lower than the US average
  • Average salary: $45,000-$55,000 / year
Background
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When choosing where to live, it's important to consider not only your income but also your expenses. A big city offers opportunities but comes with higher costs, while smaller states allow for greater financial freedom. What matters more to you?