{"id":11248,"date":"2020-04-13T20:59:40","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T03:59:40","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2024-11-21T21:15:55","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T05:15:55","slug":"cheapest-states-to-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/financer.com\/personal-finance\/articles\/cheapest-states-to-live\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheapest States to Live In 2024 &#8211; Top 5 States Where Your Dollar Will Go Further"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In today&#8217;s economic climate, where the cost of living is on the rise, finding a place where your money stretches further can make a significant difference in your quality of life. As the price of <strong>residential real estate has soared by 30% over the past three years<\/strong>, many Americans are rethinking where they call home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the rise of remote work, the opportunity to live in more affordable states without compromising on lifestyle has never been more accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_msg_box key-takeaways\"><div class=\"fn_block__icon\"><\/div><h3>What is the cheapest state to live in?<\/h3><ol>\n<li>Mississippi<\/li>\n<li>Oklahoma<\/li>\n<li>Kansas<\/li>\n<li>Alabama<\/li>\n<li>Georgia<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n<p>From affordable housing and lower childcare costs to reasonable living wages, these states offer a range of benefits that can help you achieve greater financial stability and peace of mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re looking for a place with a strong sense of community, excellent education opportunities, or a mild climate, there&#8217;s a state on this list that can meet your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"map-container\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 1000px; margin: 20px auto; padding: 10px;\">\n    <h2 style=\"text-align: center; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #333;\" id=\"i2024_Cost_of_Living_Index_by_State\">2024 Cost of Living Index by State<\/h2>\n    <div id=\"map\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 60%; position: relative; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/unpkg.com\/leaflet@1.7.1\/dist\/leaflet.css\">\n<script src=\"https:\/\/unpkg.com\/leaflet@1.7.1\/dist\/leaflet.js\"><\/script>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/cdnjs.cloudflare.com\/ajax\/libs\/leaflet-ajax\/2.1.0\/leaflet.ajax.min.js\"><\/script>\n\n<script>\nfunction adjustMapSize() {\n    var mapContainer = document.getElementById('map-container');\n    var windowHeight = window.innerHeight;\n    var containerTop = mapContainer.getBoundingClientRect().top;\n    var maxHeight = windowHeight - containerTop - 40; \/\/ 40px buffer\n    var mapElement = document.getElementById('map');\n    mapElement.style.height = Math.min(maxHeight, 600) + 'px';\n}\n\ndocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {\n    var map = L.map('map', {\n        zoomSnap: 0.1\n    });\n\n    L.tileLayer('https:\/\/{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org\/{z}\/{x}\/{y}.png', {\n        attribution: '&copy; OpenStreetMap contributors'\n    }).addTo(map);\n\n    var costData = {\n        \"Alabama\": 88.2, \"Alaska\": 126.7, \"Arizona\": 106.9, \"Arkansas\": 89.9, \"California\": 139.8, \n        \"Colorado\": 105.8, \"Connecticut\": 116.7, \"Delaware\": 103.9, \"Florida\": 103.0, \"Georgia\": 89.3, \n        \"Hawaii\": 181.5, \"Idaho\": 99.7, \"Illinois\": 91.4, \"Indiana\": 88.9, \"Iowa\": 89.0, \"Kansas\": 87.2, \n        \"Kentucky\": 95.2, \"Louisiana\": 92.8, \"Maine\": 116.9, \"Maryland\": 125.1, \"Massachusetts\": 147.9, \n        \"Michigan\": 91.6, \"Minnesota\": 96.8, \"Mississippi\": 84.9, \"Missouri\": 89.9, \"Montana\": 104.8, \n        \"Nebraska\": 91.5, \"Nevada\": 105.4, \"New Hampshire\": 113.2, \"New Jersey\": 118.6, \"New Mexico\": 93.6, \n        \"New York\": 136.8, \"North Carolina\": 95.0, \"North Dakota\": 96.7, \"Ohio\": 92.0, \"Oklahoma\": 85.7, \n        \"Oregon\": 120.6, \"Pennsylvania\": 97.9, \"Rhode Island\": 113.8, \"South Carolina\": 94.2, \n        \"South Dakota\": 93.8, \"Tennessee\": 89.5, \"Texas\": 90.9, \"Utah\": 102.4, \"Vermont\": 116.7, \n        \"Virginia\": 103.2, \"Washington\": 113.9, \"West Virginia\": 89.3, \"Wisconsin\": 94.8, \"Wyoming\": 91.8\n    };\n\n    function getColor(d) {\n        return d > 140 ? '#005a32' :\n               d > 120 ? '#238b45' :\n               d > 100 ? '#41ab5d' :\n               d > 95  ? '#74c476' :\n               d > 90  ? '#a1d99b' :\n               d > 85  ? '#c7e9c0' :\n                         '#edf8e9';\n    }\n\n    function style(feature) {\n        return {\n            fillColor: getColor(costData[feature.properties.name]),\n            weight: 2,\n            opacity: 1,\n            color: 'white',\n            dashArray: '3',\n            fillOpacity: 0.7\n        };\n    }\n\n    function highlightFeature(e) {\n        var layer = e.target;\n        layer.setStyle({\n            weight: 5,\n            color: '#666',\n            dashArray: '',\n            fillOpacity: 0.7\n        });\n        layer.bringToFront();\n        info.update(layer.feature.properties);\n    }\n\n    function resetHighlight(e) {\n        geojson.resetStyle(e.target);\n        info.update();\n    }\n\n    function onEachFeature(feature, layer) {\n        layer.on({\n            mouseover: highlightFeature,\n            mouseout: resetHighlight,\n        });\n    }\n\n    var geojson;\n    \n    var info = L.control();\n\n    info.onAdd = function (map) {\n        this._div = L.DomUtil.create('div', 'info');\n        this.update();\n        return this._div;\n    };\n\n    info.update = function (props) {\n        this._div.innerHTML = (props ? '<b>' + props.name + ': ' + costData[props.name].toFixed(1)\n                   : 'Hover over a state to see its index');\n    };\n\n    info.addTo(map);\n\n    fetch('https:\/\/raw.githubusercontent.com\/PublicaMundi\/MappingAPI\/master\/data\/geojson\/us-states.json')\n    .then(response => response.json())\n    .then(data => {\n        geojson = L.geoJson(data, {\n            style: style,\n            onEachFeature: onEachFeature,\n            filter: function(feature) {\n                return feature.properties.name !== 'Alaska' && feature.properties.name !== 'Hawaii';\n            }\n        }).addTo(map);\n        \n        \/\/ Fit bounds to continental US\n        var continentalBounds = geojson.getBounds();\n        map.fitBounds(continentalBounds, {\n            padding: [20, 20] \/\/ Add some padding\n        });\n    });\n\n    var legend = L.control({position: 'bottomright'});\n\n    legend.onAdd = function (map) {\n        var div = L.DomUtil.create('div', 'info legend');\n        div.innerHTML = '<h4>Cost of Living Index' +\n                        '<div class=\"gradient\">';\n        return div;\n    };\n\n    legend.addTo(map);\n\n    adjustMapSize();\n    window.addEventListener('resize', adjustMapSize);\n    map.invalidateSize();\n});\n<\/script>\n\n<style>\n    .info {\n        padding: 6px 8px;\n        font: 14px\/16px Arial, sans-serif;\n        background: white;\n        background: rgba(255,255,255,0.8);\n        box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n        border-radius: 5px;\n    }\n    .info h4 {\n        margin: 0 0 5px;\n        color: #777;\n    }\n    .legend {\n        line-height: 18px;\n        color: #555;\n    }\n    .legend .gradient {\n        width: 200px;\n        height: 20px;\n        background: linear-gradient(to right, #edf8e9, #c7e9c0, #a1d99b, #74c476, #41ab5d, #238b45, #005a32);\n        margin-bottom: 5px;\n    }\n    .legend .labels {\n        display: flex;\n        justify-content: space-between;\n    }\n    .legend .left, .legend .right {\n        font-size: 12px;\n    }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"The_Cost_Of_Living_Index\">The Cost Of Living Index<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Cost of Living Index<\/strong> measures the <strong>average cost of living<\/strong> in various states relative to the national average, <strong>which is set at 100<\/strong>. States with a Cost of Living Index below 100 are more affordable than the national average, making them attractive options for those looking to maximize their income. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This index takes into account essential expenses like food, shelter, clothing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, public education, and taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_msg_box boxed\"><div class=\"fn_block__icon\"><\/div><h3 id=\"Interesting_Fact_Mississippi_vs_Hawaii\">Interesting Fact: Mississippi vs. Hawaii<\/h3><p>Mississippi, the <strong>cheapest state<\/strong> to live in, has a <strong>Cost of Living Index<\/strong> of 84.9, making it much more affordable than the national average.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, Hawaii, the <strong>most expensive state<\/strong>, has a Cost of Living Index of 181.5. Although the <strong>median household income<\/strong> in Hawaii is $91,010 compared to $52,788 in Mississippi, this difference in income does not mean that you will have more <strong>spending power<\/strong> in Hawaii.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, the higher cost of living in Hawaii means that your dollar doesn&#8217;t go as far. In Mississippi, you can <strong>stretch your income<\/strong> much further, getting more value out of every dollar you earn. It&#8217;s not just about how much you make\u2014it&#8217;s about how much your money can buy.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"The_5_Cheapest_States_To_Live_In\">The 5 Cheapest States To Live In<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is our <strong>top 5 list of cheapest states<\/strong> to live in<strong> <\/strong>the U.S. based on <strong>2 adults<\/strong> <strong>working<\/strong> in a <strong>household of 4 people<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The monthly rent reflects the average rent for a <strong>two-bedroom apartment<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Living in any of these states will allow you to save more of every dollar that you earn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"i1_Mississippi\">1. Mississippi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cost of Living Index: 84.9<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong>Living wage per hour:<\/strong> $21.63<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median household income: $52,788<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average rent per month: $851<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average childcare: $11,874<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, so it&#8217;s not as glamorous as other states but Mississippi is definitely one of the <strong>cheaper states to live in<\/strong> the U.S. and it definitely has its benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The state offers over 50 colleges and universities and is known for its great sense of community. The worries of traffic and smog will fade away after a few months of living here, making Mississippi a great choice and the cheapest state to live in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"i2_Oklahoma\">2. Oklahoma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cost of Living Index: 85.7<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Living wage per hour: $23.27<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median household income: $53,840<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong><strong>Average rent per month: $907<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average child care: $15,792  <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Oklahoma has a mild climate, which can be a big drawcard to those who don&#8217;t like drastic changes in temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mild weather makes for beautiful green scenery all year round. For the most part, it has a strong economy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cities are full of college students, and there is the vibrancy of big-city life if you want that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Education opportunities are also vast. Extra study on the side and you might increase your income even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"i3_Kansas\">3. Kansas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cost of Living Index: 87.2<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Living wage per hour: $23.24<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median household income: $61,091<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong>Average rent per month: $942<\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average child care: $16,332<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Kansas has plenty of booming industries such as agriculture and aerospace, and also boasts one of the lowest cost of living rates in the U.S. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kansas also has a good job market with an unemployment rate of less than 4%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you enjoy all the seasons, Kansas is the perfect fit. From hot summers to cold winters and everything in between, Kansas offers a variety of climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"i4_Alabama\">4. Alabama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cost of Living Index: 88.2<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Living wage per hour: $22.47<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median household income: $61,091<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average rent per month: $883<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average child care: $13,319 <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Alabama has warm weather, great college football, and a low cost of living. The state of Alabama also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. and great education &#8211; like the The University of Alabama, Auburn University, and Troy University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alabama is a great state to live in and has something for everyone. It is rich in culture, has beautiful nature scenes, and has very affordable housing costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of living in Alabama is lower than most states in the U.S., making it one of the most popular states to live in for 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_5_Georgia\"> 5. Georgia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cost of Living Index: 89.3<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Living wage per hour: $23.27<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median household income: $61,224<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong>Average rent per month: $<\/strong>1,090<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average child care: $14,906<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Georgia is a very popular state with more than 100,000 people moving there every year. The state has a laid-back culture, clean air, and good food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The state of Georgia has plenty of safe cities to live in, which is why it&#8217;s ideal for young families and college students. With coastal beaches and the popular Georgia State University, the state is known for its southern hospitality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a list of the <strong>10 cheaper states to live<\/strong> in the U.S. in 2024:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Mississippi (84.9)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oklahoma (85.7)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kansas (87.2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alabama (88.2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georgia (89.30)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>West Virginia (88.5)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missouri (88.6)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indiana (88.9)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Iowa (88.9)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tennessee (89.5)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Lowest_Cost_of_Living_Between_All_States\">Lowest Cost of Living Between All States<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a full list of the lowest cost and least expensive states to live in for 2024, based on the cost of living per state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-fn-tables shortcode-no\"><table><thead><tr><th>Rank<\/th><th>State<\/th><th>Cost of Living Index<\/th><th>Housing<\/th><th>Grocery<\/th><th>Utilities<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Mississippi<\/td><td><strong>84.9<\/strong><\/td><td>68.5<\/td><td>92.6<\/td><td>87.9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Oklahoma<\/td><td><strong>85.7<\/strong><\/td><td>71.0<\/td><td>93.3<\/td><td>95.2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Kansas<\/td><td><strong>87.2<\/strong><\/td><td>71.7<\/td><td>92<\/td><td>98.1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Alabama<\/td><td><strong>88.2<\/strong><\/td><td>69.9<\/td><td>97.8<\/td><td>100.7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Georgia<\/td><td><strong>89.3<\/strong><\/td><td>75.4<\/td><td>93.6<\/td><td>91<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>West Virginia<\/td><td><strong>89.3<\/strong><\/td><td>67.8<\/td><td>98.7<\/td><td>94.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>Missouri<\/td><td><strong>89.9<\/strong><\/td><td>79.5<\/td><td>95.9<\/td><td>95.3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>Indiana<\/td><td><strong>88.9<\/strong><\/td><td>77.3<\/td><td>93.3<\/td><td>103.1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td>Iowa<\/td><td><strong>89<\/strong><\/td><td>72<\/td><td>101<\/td><td>94<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Tennessee<\/td><td><strong>89.5<\/strong><\/td><td>80<\/td><td>94.2<\/td><td>94<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11<\/td><td>Arkansas<\/td><td><strong>89.9<\/strong><\/td><td>78.1<\/td><td>92.9<\/td><td>96.9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>12<\/td><td>Texas<\/td><td><strong>90.9<\/strong><\/td><td>82.5<\/td><td>89.9<\/td><td>100.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>13<\/td><td>Illinois<\/td><td><strong>91.4<\/strong><\/td><td>80.7<\/td><td>98<\/td><td>92.2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>14<\/td><td>Nebraska<\/td><td><strong>91.5<\/strong><\/td><td>83.6<\/td><td>97.7<\/td><td>86.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>15<\/td><td>Michigan<\/td><td><strong>91.6<\/strong><\/td><td>80.6<\/td><td>91.7<\/td><td>99.1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>16<\/td><td>Wyoming<\/td><td><strong>91.8<\/strong><\/td><td>80.4<\/td><td>103<\/td><td>83.2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>17<\/td><td>Ohio<\/td><td><strong>92<\/strong><\/td><td>78.4<\/td><td>98.7<\/td><td>94.8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18<\/td><td>Louisiana<\/td><td><strong>92.8<\/strong><\/td><td>86.9<\/td><td>96.4<\/td><td>87.6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>19<\/td><td>New Mexico<\/td><td><strong>93.6<\/strong><\/td><td>88.2<\/td><td>98.1<\/td><td>91.4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>20<\/td><td>South Dakota<\/td><td><strong>93.8<\/strong><\/td><td>91<\/td><td>104.6<\/td><td>89.3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>21<\/td><td>South Carolina<\/td><td><strong>94.2<\/strong><\/td><td>81.1<\/td><td>101<\/td><td>110.8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>22<\/td><td>Wisconsin<\/td><td><strong>94.8<\/strong><\/td><td>84.1<\/td><td>97.7<\/td><td>102.7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>23<\/td><td>North Carolina<\/td><td><strong>95<\/strong><\/td><td>88.9<\/td><td>98<\/td><td>96.6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>24<\/td><td>Kentucky<\/td><td><strong>95.2<\/strong><\/td><td>78.3<\/td><td>94<\/td><td>108.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>25<\/td><td>North Dakota<\/td><td><strong>96.7<\/strong><\/td><td>92.3<\/td><td>102<\/td><td>94.8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>26<\/td><td>Minnesota<\/td><td><strong>96.8<\/strong><\/td><td>84<\/td><td>101.3<\/td><td>99.4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>27<\/td><td>Pennsylvania<\/td><td><strong>97.9<\/strong><\/td><td>87.4<\/td><td>104.9<\/td><td>109.9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>28<\/td><td>Puerto Rico<\/td><td><strong>98<\/strong><\/td><td>73.7<\/td><td>119.9<\/td><td>151.6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>29<\/td><td>Idaho<\/td><td><strong>99.7<\/strong><\/td><td>106<\/td><td>97.6<\/td><td>82.2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>30<\/td><td>Utah<\/td><td><strong>102.4<\/strong><\/td><td>108.2<\/td><td>99.8<\/td><td>93.1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>31<\/td><td>Florida<\/td><td><strong>103<\/strong><\/td><td>107.6<\/td><td>105<\/td><td>101.7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>32<\/td><td>Virginia<\/td><td><strong>103.2<\/strong><\/td><td>110.3<\/td><td>96.3<\/td><td>98.8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>33<\/td><td>Delaware<\/td><td><strong>103.9<\/strong><\/td><td>103.8<\/td><td>103<\/td><td>94.6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>34<\/td><td>Montana<\/td><td><strong>104.8<\/strong><\/td><td>119<\/td><td>102.5<\/td><td>84.9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>35<\/td><td>Colorado<\/td><td><strong>105.8<\/strong><\/td><td>122.7<\/td><td>94.2<\/td><td>90.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>36<\/td><td>Nevada<\/td><td><strong>105.4<\/strong><\/td><td>118<\/td><td>105.1<\/td><td>94.6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>37<\/td><td>Arizona<\/td><td><strong>106.9<\/strong><\/td><td>121.5<\/td><td>101.6<\/td><td>100.4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>38<\/td><td>New Hampshire<\/td><td><strong>113.2<\/strong><\/td><td>105.5<\/td><td>103.1<\/td><td>112.4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>39<\/td><td>Rhode Island<\/td><td><strong>113.8<\/strong><\/td><td>116.9<\/td><td>100.1<\/td><td>125.8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>40<\/td><td>Washington<\/td><td><strong>113.9<\/strong><\/td><td>125.5<\/td><td>108.1<\/td><td>89.6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>41<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/rhode-island\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/rhode-island\/\"><\/a>Connecticut<\/td><td><strong>116.7<\/strong><\/td><td>122.3<\/td><td>104.9<\/td><td>131.4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>42<\/td><td>Vermont<\/td><td><strong>116.7<\/strong><\/td><td>130.1<\/td><td>107.8<\/td><td>120.7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>43<\/td><td>Maine<\/td><td><strong>116.9<\/strong><\/td><td>126.6<\/td><td>101.8<\/td><td>99.8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>44<\/td><td>New Jersey<\/td><td><strong>118.6<\/strong><\/td><td>141.9<\/td><td>103.1<\/td><td>112.4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>45<\/td><td>Oregon<\/td><td><strong>120.6<\/strong><\/td><td>144.3<\/td><td>107.1<\/td><td>106<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>46<\/td><td>Maryland<\/td><td><strong>125.1<\/strong><\/td><td>162.7<\/td><td>112.1<\/td><td>106.2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>47<\/td><td>Alaska<\/td><td><strong>126.7<\/strong><\/td><td>120.3<\/td><td>135<\/td><td>148.4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>48<\/td><td>New York<\/td><td><strong>136.8<\/strong><\/td><td>191.5<\/td><td>112.1<\/td><td>99.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>49<\/td><td>California<\/td><td><strong>139.8<\/strong><\/td><td>193.2<\/td><td>116.4<\/td><td>125<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>50<\/td><td>Massachusetts<\/td><td><strong>147.9<\/strong><\/td><td>204.7<\/td><td>112.8<\/td><td>122.9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>51<\/td><td>District of Columbia\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>154.5<\/strong><\/td><td>249.6<\/td><td>112<\/td><td>107<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>52<\/td><td>Hawaii\u00a0<\/td><td><strong>181.5<\/strong><\/td><td>312.8<\/td><td>150.3<\/td><td>141.3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To better understand the costs of living costs across all states, we need to take a closer look at the national costs of living. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The average household in the United States spends\u00a0$61,334 a year on expenses. Of this, around $1,784 (or 34.9%) a month is dedicated to housing and housing-related costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the <strong>median price of a single-family home in the U.S. is $396,300<\/strong>, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around $1,295 a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>American households dedicate a further 16% of their spending to transportation which amounts to about $9,826 a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Healthcare costs amount to an additional $5,177 every year, while food, groceries, and dining amount to another $7,317 every year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Personal income for individuals nationwide is $35,805 while the median household income is $67,521 a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The living wage for the United States is <strong>$68,808 annually for a family of four<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Living_Wage_by_State_2024\">Living Wage by State 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a list of states according to the living wage needed by a household to support themselves, based on a family of four with 2 adults working full-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-fn-tables shortcode-no\"><table><thead><tr><th>Rank<\/th><th>State<\/th><th>Living Wage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>South Dakota<\/td><td>$28,853<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>West Virginia<\/td><td>$29,306<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Kentucky<\/td><td>$29,459<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Arkansas<\/td><td>$29,491<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Mississippi<\/td><td>$29,542<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>Wyoming<\/td><td>$29,629 <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>North Dakota<\/td><td>$29,712<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>Tennessee<\/td><td>$29,905<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td>Oklahoma<\/td><td>$29,936<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Ohio<\/td><td>$29,982<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11<\/td><td>Alabama<\/td><td>$30,248 <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>12<\/td><td>Indiana<\/td><td>$30,323 <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>13<\/td><td>Iowa<\/td><td>$30,655<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>14<\/td><td>Idaho<\/td><td>$30,663<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>15<\/td><td>Louisiana<\/td><td>$30,688<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>16<\/td><td>Montana<\/td><td>$30,742<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>17<\/td><td>Nebraska<\/td><td>$30,847<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>18<\/td><td>Kansas<\/td><td>$30,943<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>19<\/td><td>Missouri<\/td><td>$31,060<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>20<\/td><td>New Mexico<\/td><td>$31,074<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>21<\/td><td>Michigan<\/td><td>$31,077<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>22<\/td><td>Wisconsin<\/td><td>$31,235<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>23<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/georgia\/\"><\/a>Nevada<\/td><td>$31,547<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>24<\/td><td>Texas<\/td><td>$31,702<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>25<\/td><td>Pennsylvania<\/td><td>$32,157<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>26<\/td><td>Alaska<\/td><td>$32,406<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>27<\/td><td>Utah<\/td><td>$32,408<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>28<\/td><td>North Carolina<\/td><td>$32,572<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>29<\/td><td>South Carolina<\/td><td>$32,994<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>30<\/td><td>Georgia<\/td><td>$33,255<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>31<\/td><td>Florida<\/td><td>$33,315<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>32<\/td><td>Arizona<\/td><td>$33,442<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>33<\/td><td>Minnesota<\/td><td>$33,539<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>34<\/td><td>Delaware<\/td><td>$33,551<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>35<\/td><td>Maine<\/td><td>$33,696<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>36<\/td><td>Rhode Island<\/td><td>$34,045<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>37<\/td><td>Vermont<\/td><td>$34,166<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>38<\/td><td>Illinois<\/td><td>$34,471<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>39<\/td><td>New Hampshire<\/td><td>$35,054<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>40<\/td><td>Connecticut<\/td><td>$35,574<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>41<\/td><td>Washington<\/td><td>$35,810<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>42<\/td><td>Oregon<\/td><td>$36,285<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>43<\/td><td>Colorado<\/td><td>$36,285<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>44<\/td><td>Virginia<\/td><td>$36,517<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>45<\/td><td>Maryland<\/td><td>$37,288<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>46<\/td><td>New Jersey<\/td><td>$37,906<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>47<\/td><td>California<\/td><td>$40,372<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>48<\/td><td>Hawaii<\/td><td>$40,944<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>49<\/td><td>Massachusetts<\/td><td>$41,416<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>50<\/td><td>New York<\/td><td>$41,700<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Does your dollar stretch further where you live compared to the rest of the country? Comment below.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today&#8217;s economic climate, where the cost of living is on the rise, finding a place where your money stretches\u2026 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37432,"featured_media":84236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_branded_featured_image":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11248"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37432"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11248"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79426,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11248\/revisions\/79426"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}