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.

Ireland: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 175.68 index points, an increase from 157.19 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 79.81 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 2017 to 2021 is 166.44 index points. The minimum value, 157.19 index points, was reached in 2017 while the maximum of 175.68 index points was recorded in 2021.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for El Paso County, CO (MWACL08041) from 2009 to 2023 about El Paso County, CO; Colorado Springs; adjusted; CO; average; wages; real; and USA.

Argentina: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 61.38 index points, a decline from 93.54 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 79.81 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for Argentina from 2017 to 2021 is 77.46 index points. The minimum value, 61.38 index points, was reached in 2021 while the maximum of 93.54 index points was recorded in 2017.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Salt Lake County, UT (MWACL49035) from 2009 to 2023 about Salt Lake County, UT; Salt Lake City; UT; adjusted; average; wages; real; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Lake County, IL (MWACL17097) from 2009 to 2023 about Lake County, IL; Chicago; adjusted; IL; average; wages; real; and USA.

The housing costs inflation rate for low-income households in the United Kingdom was noticeably higher than that of high-income ones between April 2022 and April 2023, during a serious cost of living crisis in the UK. As of June 2024, however, the inflation rate for high-income households was higher than that of middle or low incomes ones.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Denver County, CO (MWACL08031) from 2009 to 2023 about Denver County, CO; Denver; adjusted; CO; average; wages; real; and USA.

Zambia: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 45 index points, a decline from 63.6 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 79.81 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for Zambia from 2017 to 2021 is 54.3 index points. The minimum value, 45 index points, was reached in 2021 while the maximum of 63.6 index points was recorded in 2017.

The average for 2021 based on 165 countries was 79.81 index points. The highest value was in Bermuda: 212.7 index points and the lowest value was in Syria: 33.25 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Clay County, FL (MWACL12019) from 2009 to 2023 about Clay County, FL; Jacksonville; adjusted; average; FL; wages; real; and USA.

Saint Lucia: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 87.24 index points, a decline from 110.38 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 79.81 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for Saint Lucia from 2017 to 2021 is 98.81 index points. The minimum value, 87.24 index points, was reached in 2021 while the maximum of 110.38 index points was recorded in 2017.

Find out how Australians feel about the increasing cost of living in our latest survey, as well as the latest data from the Cost of Living Index in 2024.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Union County, NC (MWACL37179) from 2009 to 2023 about Union County, NC; Charlotte; adjusted; average; NC; wages; real; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Franklin County, MO (MWACL29071) from 2009 to 2023 about Franklin County, MO; St. Louis; adjusted; MO; average; wages; real; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Honolulu County/city, HI (MWACL15003) from 2009 to 2023 about Honolulu County/City, HI; Honolulu; HI; adjusted; average; wages; real; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for Marion County, OH (MWACL39101) from 2016 to 2023 about Marion County, OH; adjusted; OH; average; wages; real; and USA.

San Marino: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from is index points, unavailable from index points in . In comparison, the world average is 0.00 index points, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for San Marino from to is index points. The minimum value, index points, was reached in while the maximum of index points was recorded in .

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for York County, ME (MWACL23031) from 2009 to 2023 about York County, ME; Portland; ME; adjusted; average; wages; real; and USA.

Consumer Price Index CPI in the United States increased to 321.47 points in May from 320.80 points in April 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.