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.

In 2024, the CPI in U.S. cities averaged at 313.7. However, the CPI for the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area amounted to about 334.21. Prices in New York City were significantly higher than the U.S. average. Nonetheless, the San Diego-Carlsbad area ranked first with a CPI of 373.32.The monthly inflation rate for the United States can be found here.

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.

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.

As of mid-2024, Montevideo ranked as the second Latin American and Caribbean metropolis with the highest cost of living index. The Uruguayan capital obtained an index score of 54.1, only second to Port of Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago, with 56.4 points. Monterrey and Panama City were the third and fourth most expensive cities to live in Latin America and the Caribbean that year, with scores surpassing 45 points each.

Cost of living data based on food, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and consumer discretionary spending in the United States.

Damascus in Syria was ranked as the least expensive city worldwide in 2023, with an index score of ** out of 100. The country has been marred by civil war over the last decade, hitting the country's economy hard. Other cities in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Tehran, Tripoli, and Tunis, are also present on the list. On the other hand, Singapore and Zurich were ranked the most expensive cities in the world.

Annual indexes of price differences between 15 cities in all provinces and territories, as of October of the previous year, for a selection of products (goods and services) from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) purchased by consumers in each of the 15 cities. The combined city average index is 100.

As of September 2024, Mumbai had the highest cost of living among other cities in the country, with an index value of ****. Gurgaon, a satellite city of Delhi and part of the National Capital Region (NCR) followed it with an index value of ****.  What is cost of living? The cost of living varies depending on geographical regions and factors that affect the cost of living in an area include housing, food, utilities, clothing, childcare, and fuel among others. The cost of living is calculated based on different measures such as the consumer price index (CPI), living cost indexes, and wage price index. CPI refers to the change in the value of consumer goods and services. The wage price index, on the other hand, measures the change in labor services prices due to market pressures. Lastly, the living cost indexes calculate the impact of changing costs on different households. The relationship between wages and costs determines affordability and shifts in the cost of living. Mumbai tops the list Mumbai usually tops the list of most expensive cities in India. As the financial and entertainment hub of the country, Mumbai offers wide opportunities and attracts talent from all over the country. It is the second-largest city in India and has one of the most expensive real estates in the world.

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United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Housing in U.S. City Average was 345.86700 Index 1982-84=100 in May of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Housing in U.S. City Average reached a record high of 345.86700 in May of 2025 and a record low of 30.50000 in February of 1967. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Housing in U.S. City Average - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average was 319.61500 Index 1982-1984=100 in March of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average reached a record high of 319.77500 in February of 2025 and a record low of 21.48000 in January of 1947. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on May of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Rent of Primary Residence in U.S. City Average (CUUR0000SEHA) from Dec 1914 to May 2025 about primary, rent, urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Services in U.S. City Average (CWUR0000SAS) from Mar 1935 to May 2025 about clerical workers, urban, wages, services, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food Away from Home in U.S. City Average (CUUR0000SEFV) from Jan 1953 to May 2025 about urban, food, consumer, CPI, housing, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Repair of Household Items in U.S. City Average was 393.37300 Index Dec 1997=100 in July of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Repair of Household Items in U.S. City Average reached a record high of 393.37300 in July of 2024 and a record low of 100.00000 in December of 1997. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Repair of Household Items in U.S. City Average - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food in U.S. City Average (CPIUFDNS) from Jan 1913 to May 2025 about urban, food, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Tuition, Other School Fees, and Childcare in U.S. City Average was 888.53600 Index 1982-84=100 in May of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Tuition, Other School Fees, and Childcare in U.S. City Average reached a record high of 888.53600 in May of 2025 and a record low of 57.50000 in January of 1978. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Tuition, Other School Fees, and Childcare in U.S. City Average - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

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In 2024, Singapore's cost of living index was at 81.9, compared to that of New York City as a base of 100. This meant that Singapore was about 20 percent more affordable than New York City. With a local purchasing power index of 103, residents with an average salary in Singapore are able to afford more goods and services compared to the base city of New York City. In that year, Singapore had the highest cost of living index in Asia.