Source: kroach / Getty This guide created by ChatGPT ranks all 50 U.S. states from highest to lowest cost of living based on a combination of housing costs, utilities, transportation such as gas prices and other everyday expenses. Housing was weighted most heavily since it is typically the largest expense for most households.
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For each state, you’ll find the average household income, estimated income needed to live comfortably, average rent, average mortgage payment, average gas prices, and an explanation of the factors that influence costs.
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Please note that all figures are estimates and are intended to provide a general comparison rather than exact costs. Living expenses can vary significantly within a state depending on the city, neighborhood, lifestyle, and housing market.
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This ranking is not an official government ranking but a practical overview created by ChatGPT to compare affordability and cost of living across all 50 states.
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Hawaii
Median Income: – $100,000Comfortable Income: – $115K–$140KRent: – $2,300Mortgage: – $5,000+Gas: – $4.60
Why so expensive:
Everything is imported (food, fuel, materials)
Limited land + strict zoning
Tourism-driven economy inflates prices
Massachusetts
Median Income: – $99,000Comfortable Income: – $110K–$135KRent: – $2,400Mortgage: – $4,300Gas: – $3.25
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Why:
Boston housing crisis
High-paying biotech/education jobs
Old housing stock + limited supply
California
Median Income: – $95,000Comfortable Income: – $115K–$150KRent: – $2,600Mortgage: – $4,800+Gas: – $4.80
Why:
Extremely high housing demand
Tech hubs (Bay Area, LA)
High taxes + regulations
New York
Median Income: ~$85,000Comfortable Income: $105K–$140KRent: ~$2,500Mortgage: ~$4,200Gas: ~$3.50
Why:
NYC dominates pricing
High property taxes
Dense population = housing scarcity
Washington
Median Income: ~$96,000Comfortable Income: $105K–$130KRent: ~$2,000Mortgage: ~$3,800Gas: ~$4.40
Why:
Seattle tech boom (Amazon, Microsoft)
Limited housing growth
Strong in-migration
Colorado
Median Income: ~$92,000Comfortable Income: $100K–$125KRent: ~$1,900Mortgage: ~$3,600Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
Migration from expensive coastal states
High demand in Denver/Boulder
Limited new housing supply
New Jersey
Median Income: ~$97,000Comfortable Income: $105K–$130KRent: ~$2,100Mortgage: ~$4,500Gas: ~$3.40
Why:
NYC commuter demand
High property taxes
Dense suburban development
Maryland
Median Income: ~$108,000Comfortable Income: $110K–$135KRent: ~$1,900Mortgage: ~$3,900Gas: ~$3.45
Why:
Federal government jobs
DC metro pricing spillover
High incomes drive up costs
Connecticut
Median Income: ~$90,000Comfortable Income: $100K–$125KRent: ~$1,900Mortgage: ~$3,700Gas: ~$3.30
Why:
NYC commuter belt
High insurance + property taxes
Aging housing stock
New Hampshire
Median Income: ~$96,000Comfortable Income: $100K–$120KRent: ~$1,800Mortgage: ~$3,500Gas: ~$3.40
Why:
No state income tax attracts high earners
Limited housing supply
Boston commuter spillover
Oregon
Median Income: ~$78,000Comfortable Income: $85K–$110KRent: ~$1,800Mortgage: ~$3,400Gas: ~$4.30
Why costs are high:
Portland housing demand
Limited new construction due to zoning laws
High West Coast cost spillover from California
Utah
Median Income: ~$89,000Comfortable Income: $85K–$105KRent: ~$1,600Mortgage: ~$3,200Gas: ~$3.50
Why:
Fast population growth (especially Salt Lake City)
Tech expansion (“Silicon Slopes”)
Housing demand outpacing supply
Florida
Median Income: ~$77,000Comfortable Income: $80K–$105KRent: ~$1,900Mortgage: ~$3,300Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
Massive migration from other states
Insurance + hurricane risk increasing costs
High retiree demand
Virginia
Median Income: ~$98,000Comfortable Income: $95K–$120KRent: ~$1,900Mortgage: ~$3,600Gas: ~$3.40
Why:
Northern Virginia DC job market
Federal contractor salaries
High-income government corridor
Nevada
Median Income: ~$72,000Comfortable Income: $75K–$95KRent: ~$1,700Mortgage: ~$3,100Gas: ~$4.00
Why:
Las Vegas housing boom
Tourism-driven economy
Limited water supply restricts expansion
Arizona
Median Income: ~$74,000Comfortable Income: $75K–$95KRent: ~$1,600Mortgage: ~$2,900Gas: ~$3.80
Why:
Rapid migration from California
Phoenix housing surge
Limited water + heat constraints
Minnesota
Median Income: ~$86,000Comfortable Income: $80K–$100KRent: ~$1,500Mortgage: ~$2,900Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
Strong healthcare + corporate jobs (Minneapolis)
Cold climate reduces migration inflow
Stable but rising housing market
Texas
Median Income: ~$79,000Comfortable Income: $75K–$95KRent: ~$1,400Mortgage: ~$2,600Gas: ~$2.90
Why:
No state income tax (attracts migration)
Huge job markets (Dallas, Houston, Austin)
Housing still cheaper but rising fast
Rhode Island
Median Income: ~$78,000Comfortable Income: $80K–$100KRent: ~$1,700Mortgage: ~$3,100Gas: ~$3.40
Why:
Small state = limited housing supply
Boston commuting influence
Coastal property premiums
Illinois
Median Income: ~$78,000Comfortable Income: $80K–$100KRent: ~$1,700Mortgage: ~$3,000Gas: ~$3.60
Why:
Chicago drives pricing structure
High property taxes
Economic imbalance between city and rural areas
Pennsylvania
Median Income: ~$76,000Comfortable Income: $75K–$95KRent: ~$1,500Mortgage: ~$2,700Gas: ~$3.60
Why costs are moderate:
Philly drives higher prices, rural areas very cheap
Old housing stock keeps prices lower overall
Stable job market but slow growth
Georgia
Median Income: ~$79,000Comfortable Income: $75K–$95KRent: ~$1,600Mortgage: ~$2,900Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
Atlanta growth (corporate + film industry)
Heavy migration from other states
Suburban expansion increasing housing costs
North Carolina
Median Income: ~$78,000Comfortable Income: $75K–$95KRent: ~$1,500Mortgage: ~$2,700Gas: ~$3.10
Why:
Raleigh/Durham tech + universities
Charlotte banking industry
Fast population growth
Tennessee
Median Income: ~$74,000Comfortable Income: $70K–$90KRent: ~$1,500Mortgage: ~$2,600Gas: ~$3.00
Why:
Nashville booming entertainment economy
No state income tax attracts migration
Housing rising quickly but still moderate
Wisconsin
Median Income: ~$75,000Comfortable Income: $70K–$90KRent: ~$1,300Mortgage: ~$2,400Gas: ~$3.30
Why:
Stable manufacturing + agriculture base
Slow population growth keeps housing cheaper
Milwaukee slightly more expensive than rest
Idaho
Median Income: ~$72,000Comfortable Income: $75K–$95KRent: ~$1,500Mortgage: ~$2,800Gas: ~$3.90
Why:
Massive migration from California
Boise housing surge
Limited infrastructure for growth
Indiana
Median Income: ~$71,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,200Mortgage: ~$2,200Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
Low cost of housing and land
Manufacturing-based economy
Minimal in-migration pressure
South Carolina
Median Income: ~$70,000Comfortable Income: $70K–$85KRent: ~$1,400Mortgage: ~$2,500Gas: ~$3.10
Why:
Coastal tourism (Charleston, Myrtle Beach)
Retirement migration increasing demand
Still relatively affordable inland
New Mexico
Median Income: ~$62,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$80KRent: ~$1,200Mortgage: ~$2,300Gas: ~$3.70
Why:
Low wages overall
Sparse population = cheap housing
Limited job growth outside government/labs
Maine
Median Income: ~$75,000Comfortable Income: $70K–$90KRent: ~$1,400Mortgage: ~$2,600Gas: ~$3.50
Why:
Seasonal tourism drives coastal prices up
Rural inland areas remain cheap
Aging population limits growth
Iowa
Median Income: ~$73,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,100Mortgage: ~$2,000Gas: ~$3.20
Why costs are low:
Agriculture-driven economy
Low population growth
Cheap land and housing
Nebraska
Median Income: ~$75,000Comfortable Income: $70K–$85KRent: ~$1,150Mortgage: ~$2,100Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
Stable farming + insurance + logistics jobs
Low housing demand outside Omaha/Lincoln
Affordable land supply
Ohio
Median Income: ~$72,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,200Mortgage: ~$2,100Gas: ~$3.40
Why:
Manufacturing decline kept housing cheap
Large rural population
Cleveland/Columbus/Cincinnati moderately priced
Michigan
Median Income: ~$72,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,200Mortgage: ~$2,200Gas: ~$3.50
Why:
Auto industry volatility
Abundant housing supply
Detroit still suppresses statewide averages
Missouri
Median Income: ~$71,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,200Mortgage: ~$2,100Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
St. Louis & Kansas City keep costs moderate
Low statewide taxes
Plenty of undeveloped land
Alabama
Median Income: ~$63,000Comfortable Income: $60K–$75KRent: ~$1,100Mortgage: ~$1,900Gas: ~$3.00
Why:
Low wages overall
Cheap land and housing
Limited large metro pressure
Kentucky
Median Income: ~$62,000Comfortable Income: $60K–$75KRent: ~$1,050Mortgage: ~$1,900Gas: ~$3.10
Why:
Rural economy
Low housing demand
Small metro areas (Louisville, Lexington)
Louisiana
Median Income: ~$60,000Comfortable Income: $60K–$75KRent: ~$1,100Mortgage: ~$2,000Gas: ~$3.00
Why:
Oil + tourism economy unstable
High insurance costs but cheap housing
Hurricane risk balances affordability
Arkansas
Median Income: ~$60,000Comfortable Income: $55K–$70KRent: ~$950Mortgage: ~$1,700Gas: ~$2.90
Why:
Very low land costs
Walmart HQ boosts local economy but wages remain low
Rural-heavy population
Mississippi
Median Income: ~$55,000Comfortable Income: $55K–$70KRent: ~$900Mortgage: ~$1,600Gas: ~$2.90
Why:
Lowest wages in the U.S.
Cheap housing and land
Limited industrial development
West Virginia
Median Income: ~$58,000Comfortable Income: $55K–$70KRent: ~$900Mortgage: ~$1,600Gas: ~$3.30
Why costs are low:
Population decline
Very affordable housing
Limited job growth outside healthcare, education, and energy
Oklahoma
Median Income: ~$67,000Comfortable Income: $55K–$75KRent: ~$1,000Mortgage: ~$1,700Gas: ~$2.80
Why:
Abundant land
Energy industry influence
Strong housing supply
South Dakota
Median Income: ~$72,000Comfortable Income: $60K–$80KRent: ~$1,100Mortgage: ~$1,900Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
No state income tax
Low population density
Stable agriculture and tourism sectors
North Dakota
Median Income: ~$78,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,150Mortgage: ~$2,000Gas: ~$3.30
Why:
Energy production supports wages
Low population
Plenty of available land
Kansas
Median Income: ~$72,000Comfortable Income: $60K–$80KRent: ~$1,100Mortgage: ~$1,900Gas: ~$3.00
Why:
Large housing supply
Agriculture and manufacturing base
Slow population growth
Wyoming
Median Income: ~$76,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,200Mortgage: ~$2,000Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
No state income tax
Sparse population
Energy and tourism economy
Montana
Median Income: ~$69,000Comfortable Income: $65K–$85KRent: ~$1,350Mortgage: ~$2,400Gas: ~$3.40
Why:
Rural state with modest wages
Some areas becoming expensive due to migration
Still cheaper than most Western states
Delaware
Median Income: ~$82,000Comfortable Income: $70K–$90KRent: ~$1,450Mortgage: ~$2,500Gas: ~$3.20
Why:
No sales tax
Moderate housing costs
Smaller population
Vermont
Median Income: ~$78,000Comfortable Income: $70K–$95KRent: ~$1,500Mortgage: ~$2,700Gas: ~$3.50
Why:
Rural state
Limited housing supply in some areas
Smaller job market
Alaska
Median Income: ~$90,000Comfortable Income: $80K–$110KRent: ~$1,500Mortgage: ~$2,800Gas: ~$4.00
Why:
Energy production supports incomes
Housing is relatively affordable outside a few markets
No state income tax
Summary:
BEST STATES BY INCOME LEVEL If You Make $50,000–$70,000 Best value:
Oklahoma
Indiana
Arkansas
Iowa
Kansas
If You Make $70,000–$100,000 Best value:
Texas
North Carolina
Tennessee
Georgia
South Carolina
If You Make $100,000+ Best value:
Texas
Florida
Tennessee
North Carolina
Arizona
Best Overall Affordability-to-Income Ratio If your goal is maximizing lifestyle, housing affordability, and income potential, the states that consistently score well are:
Texas
Tennessee
North Carolina
Indiana
Oklahoma
Georgia
South Carolina
Kansas
Iowa
Ohio
