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.

Zurich, Lausanne, and Geneva were ranked as the most expensive cities worldwide with indices of ************************ Almost half of the 11 most expensive cities were in Switzerland.

Consumer Price Index CPI in the United States increased to 322.56 points in June from 321.46 points in May of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Consumer Price Index (CPI) - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In January 2025, prices had increased by three percent compared to January 2024 according to the 12-month percentage change in the consumer price index — the monthly inflation rate for goods and services in the United States. The data represents U.S. city averages. In economics, the inflation rate is a measure of the change in price level over time. The rate of decrease in the purchasing power of money is approximately equal. A projection of the annual U.S. inflation rate can be accessed here and the actual annual inflation rate since 1990 can be accessed here. InflationOne of the most important economic indicators is the development of the Consumer Price Index in a country. The change in this price level of goods and services is defined as the rate of inflation. The inflationary situation in the United States had been relatively severe in 2022 due to global events relating to COVID-19, supply chain restrains, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More information on U.S. inflation may be found on our dedicated topic page. The annual inflation rate in the United States has increased from 3.2 percent in 2011 to 8.3 percent in 2022. This means that the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar has weakened in recent years. The purchasing power is the extent to which a person has available funds to make purchases. According to the data published by the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) was about 258.84 in 2020 and is forecasted to grow up to 325.6 by 2027, compared to the base period from 1982 to 1984. The monthly percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers in the United States was 0.1 percent in March 2023 compared to the previous month. In 2022, countries all around the world are experienced high levels of inflation. Although Brazil already had an inflation rate of 8.3 percent in 2021, compared to the previous year, while the inflation rate in China stood at 0.85 percent.

This dataset provides values for CONSUMER PRICE INDEX CPI reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Pie chart showing main motivations for moving, including housing, family, jobs, lifestyle, and cost of living.

Luxembourg stands out as the European leader in quality of life for 2025, achieving a score of 220 on the Quality of Life Index. The Netherlands follows closely behind with 211 points, while Albania and Ukraine rank at the bottom with scores of 104 and 115 respectively. This index provides a thorough assessment of living conditions across Europe, reflecting various factors that shape the overall well-being of populations and extending beyond purely economic metrics. Understanding the quality of life index The quality of life index is a multifaceted measure that incorporates factors such as purchasing power, pollution levels, housing affordability, cost of living, safety, healthcare quality, traffic conditions, and climate, to measure the overall quality of life of a Country. Higher overall index scores indicate better living conditions. However, in subindexes such as pollution, cost of living, and traffic commute time, lower values correspond to improved quality of life. Challenges affecting life satisfaction Despite the fact that European countries register high levels of life quality by for example leading the ranking of happiest countries in the world, life satisfaction across the European Union has been on a downward trend since 2018. The EU's overall life satisfaction score dropped from 7.3 out of 10 in 2018 to 7.1 in 2022. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges such as high inflation. Rising housing costs, in particular, have emerged as a critical concern, significantly affecting quality of life. This issue has played a central role in shaping voter priorities for the European Parliamentary Elections in 2024 and becoming one of the most pressing challenges for Europeans, profoundly influencing both daily experiences and long-term well-being.

United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Furniture and Household Durables: Living Room Furniture (Nonupholstered), Wood was 301.16100 Index 1982=100 in December of 2022, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Furniture and Household Durables: Living Room Furniture (Nonupholstered), Wood reached a record high of 302.08800 in September of 2022 and a record low of 61.60000 in February of 1975. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Furniture and Household Durables: Living Room Furniture (Nonupholstered), Wood - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States - Producer Price Index by Industry: Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing: Wood Household Den, Family Room, Library, and Living Room Furniture, Except Custom was 387.07700 Index Dec 1979=100 in June of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Producer Price Index by Industry: Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing: Wood Household Den, Family Room, Library, and Living Room Furniture, Except Custom reached a record high of 387.07700 in June of 2025 and a record low of 49.40000 in February of 1967. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Producer Price Index by Industry: Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing: Wood Household Den, Family Room, Library, and Living Room Furniture, Except Custom - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on August of 2025.

Geneva stands out as Europe's most expensive city for apartment purchases in early 2025, with prices reaching a staggering 15,720 euros per square meter. This Swiss city's real estate market dwarfs even high-cost locations like Zurich and London, highlighting the extreme disparities in housing affordability across the continent. The stark contrast between Geneva and more affordable cities like Nantes, France, where the price was 3,700 euros per square meter, underscores the complex factors influencing urban property markets in Europe. Rental market dynamics and affordability challenges While purchase prices vary widely, rental markets across Europe also show significant differences. London maintained its position as the continent's priciest city for apartment rentals in 2023, with the average monthly costs for a rental apartment amounting to 36.1 euros per square meter. This figure is double the rent in Lisbon, Portugal or Madrid, Spain, and substantially higher than in other major capitals like Paris and Berlin. The disparity in rental costs reflects broader economic trends, housing policies, and the intricate balance of supply and demand in urban centers. Economic factors influencing housing costs The European housing market is influenced by various economic factors, including inflation and energy costs. As of April 2025, the European Union's inflation rate stood at 2.4 percent, with significant variations among member states. Romania experienced the highest inflation at 4.9 percent, while France and Cyprus maintained lower rates. These economic pressures, coupled with rising energy costs, contribute to the overall cost of living and housing affordability across Europe. The volatility in electricity prices, particularly in countries like Italy where rates are projected to reach 153.83 euros per megawatt hour by February 2025, further impacts housing-related expenses for both homeowners and renters.

Living Cost: Children: Average per Month: FE: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) data was reported at 25,974.000 RUB in 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 23,801.000 RUB for 2024. Living Cost: Children: Average per Month: FE: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) data is updated yearly, averaging 22,560.000 RUB from Dec 2021 (Median) to 2025, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25,974.000 RUB in 2025 and a record low of 19,201.000 RUB in 2021. Living Cost: Children: Average per Month: FE: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF004: Living Cost: Children.

Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: FE: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) data was reported at 23,028.000 RUB in 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 20,067.000 RUB for 2024. Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: FE: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) data is updated yearly, averaging 18,667.000 RUB from Dec 2021 (Median) to 2025, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,028.000 RUB in 2025 and a record low of 15,438.000 RUB in 2021. Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: FE: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF003: Living Cost: Pensioner.

Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: Far East Federal District (FE): Republic of Buryatia data was reported at 16,623.000 RUB in 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 14,486.000 RUB for 2024. Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: Far East Federal District (FE): Republic of Buryatia data is updated yearly, averaging 13,475.000 RUB from Dec 2021 (Median) to 2025, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,623.000 RUB in 2025 and a record low of 10,372.000 RUB in 2021. Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: Far East Federal District (FE): Republic of Buryatia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF003: Living Cost: Pensioner.

Important Note: This item is in mature support as of June 2023 and will be retired in December 2025. This map shows the average household income in the U.S. in 2022 in a multiscale map by country, state, county, ZIP Code, tract, and block group. Information for the average household income is an estimate of income for calendar year 2022. Income amounts are expressed in current dollars, including an adjustment for inflation or cost-of-living increases.The pop-up is configured to include the following information for each geography level:Average household incomeMedian household incomeCount of households by income groupAverage household income by householder age groupPermitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

This dataset provides values for CONSUMER PRICE INDEX CPI reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

In January 2025, apartment rents recorded an annual growth in most U.S. states. Nevertheless, the national average rent declined by about *** percent. West Virginia was the state with the largest rental increase, while Colorado measured the largest decline. California, one of the most expensive states to rent an apartment, such as California, saw an increase of about *** percent from the previous year. How much should you earn to afford to rent an apartment in different states in the U.S.? Both employment opportunities and the living costs vary widely across the country. In California, which is among the most competitive housing markets in the U.S., the hourly wage needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment rental was roughly ** U.S. dollars, more than twice higher than in North Carolina, Louisiana, or Michigan in 2024. When it comes to the median household income, on the other hand, California does not even make it in the top ten states. How much should you earn to afford a home in some of U.S. largest metros? In 2022, the annual salary needed to buy a median-priced home in the U.S. was ****** U.S. dollars. However, in some of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, where housing prices are up to two or three times higher, homebuyers would have to earn more than 100,000 U.S. dollars to afford a home. In San Jose, which was the most expensive metro, the annual salary needed for a median-priced home was approximately ******* U.S. dollars.

CPI: Cost of Living Index: São Paulo: São Paulo data was reported at 0.470 % in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.490 % for Feb 2025. CPI: Cost of Living Index: São Paulo: São Paulo data is updated monthly, averaging 0.250 % from Jul 2023 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.260 % in Jan 2025 and a record low of -0.300 % in Aug 2023. CPI: Cost of Living Index: São Paulo: São Paulo data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Trade Union Statistical Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.IB058: Consumer Price Index: Cost of Living Index.

Monthly indexes and percentage changes for all components and special aggregates of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not seasonally adjusted, for Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit. Data are presented for the corresponding month of the previous year, the previous month and the current month. The base year for the index is 2002=100.

Living Cost: Children: Average per Month: Far East Federal District (FE): Republic of Buryatia data was reported at 18,749.000 RUB in 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 16,886.000 RUB for 2024. Living Cost: Children: Average per Month: Far East Federal District (FE): Republic of Buryatia data is updated yearly, averaging 16,006.000 RUB from Dec 2021 (Median) to 2025, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18,749.000 RUB in 2025 and a record low of 13,441.000 RUB in 2021. Living Cost: Children: Average per Month: Far East Federal District (FE): Republic of Buryatia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF004: Living Cost: Children.

The annual return for senior housing in the United States was positive in the first quarter of 2025, mostly due to strong income yield. Overall, senior housing recorded an annual total return amounting to **** percent, more than twice higher than the return of all property types, as measured by the Expanded National Property Index (NPI). Within the different types of senior housing, the independent living segment performed better, with a total return of **** percent. In comparison, the annual return of assisted living was **** percent.