Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Essex County, MA (MWACL25009) from 2009 to 2023 about Essex County, MA; Boston; adjusted; MA; average; wages; real; and USA.

West Virginia and Kansas had the lowest cost of living across all U.S. states, with composite costs being half of those found in Hawaii. This was according to a composite index that compares prices for various goods and services on a state-by-state basis. In West Virginia, the cost of living index amounted to **** — well below the national benchmark of 100. Virginia— which had an index value of ***** — was only slightly above that benchmark. Expensive places to live included Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. Housing costs in the U.S. Housing is usually the highest expense in a household’s budget. In 2023, the average house sold for approximately ******* U.S. dollars, but house prices in the Northeast and West regions were significantly higher. Conversely, the South had some of the least expensive housing. In West Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana, the median price of the typical single-family home was less than ******* U.S. dollars. That makes living expenses in these states significantly lower than in states such as Hawaii and California, where housing is much pricier. What other expenses affect the cost of living? Utility costs such as electricity, natural gas, water, and internet also influence the cost of living. In Alaska, Hawaii, and Connecticut, the average monthly utility cost exceeded *** U.S. dollars. That was because of the significantly higher prices for electricity and natural gas in these states.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Middlesex County, MA (MWACL25017) from 2009 to 2023 about Middlesex County, MA; Boston; adjusted; MA; average; wages; real; and USA.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Plymouth County, MA (MWACL25023) from 2009 to 2023 about Plymouth County, MA; Boston; adjusted; MA; average; wages; real; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Norfolk County, MA (MWACL25021) from 2009 to 2023 about Norfolk County, MA; Boston; adjusted; MA; average; wages; real; and USA.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All items in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH (CBSA) (CUUSA103SA0) from 1984 to 2024 about ME, Boston, NH, CT, MA, all items, urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Suffolk County, MA (MWACL25025) from 2009 to 2023 about Suffolk County, MA; Boston; adjusted; MA; average; wages; real; and USA.

Certified by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence, Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) are private residences that offer, for a monthly fee, housing, meals, and personal care services to aging adults who live independently.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location