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.

Cost of Living Index data was reported at 7,726.308 1913=1 in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,642.160 1913=1 for 2016. Cost of Living Index data is updated yearly, averaging 5.167 1913=1 from Dec 1861 (Median) to 2017, with 157 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,726.308 1913=1 in 2017 and a record low of 0.766 1913=1 in 1865. Cost of Living Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.I030: Cost of Living Index: 1913=1.

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.

Characteristics of sampled households in the Living Costs and Food Survey.

Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: Region: Karagandinskaya data was reported at 27,666.000 KZT in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 27,737.000 KZT for Sep 2018. Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: Region: Karagandinskaya data is updated monthly, averaging 11,918.000 KZT from Oct 2000 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28,240.000 KZT in Aug 2018 and a record low of 4,267.000 KZT in Oct 2000. Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: Region: Karagandinskaya data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by The Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kazakhstan – Table KZ.H012: Cost of Living: Average per Capita.

Cost of Living Index data was reported at 1,960.000 Oct1951=100 in Nov 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1,960.000 Oct1951=100 for Oct 2018. Cost of Living Index data is updated monthly, averaging 978.000 Oct1951=100 from Oct 1951 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 806 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,960.000 Oct1951=100 in Nov 2018 and a record low of 98.000 Oct1951=100 in Mar 1955. Cost of Living Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Finland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Finland – Table FI.I014: Cost of Living Index: October 1951=100.

PERIOD: 1930-1934. SOURCE: [Statistics and reports of major countries].

This dataset contains information about the cost of living in almost 5000 cities across the world. The data were gathered by scraping Numbeo's website (https://www.numbeo.com).

Data dictionary

The available data collection compiles the most important price indices of living costs published in official price statistics. The price indices for the standard of living are to show, in which measure the haouseholds’ standard of living increased or decreased in price due to price alteration, but unaffected by changes by consumers’ behaviour. Therefore, the consumer price indices are to measure the pure price development, isolated from changes in quantity or quality. Basis of the index is the supposition, that the structure of private households’ consumer expenditures doesn’t have changed since the basis-year (Laspeyres-Index). The consumer price index covers groups of goods, which are bought and/or used by the private households. The private households’ expenditure structure is the basis of this price index, therefore the index is to be regarded as a “purchase price index” for private ultimate consumer. Aim of the consumer price statistics is – as it is the aim of the whole official price statistics – the registration of price changes. Therefore their most important results are price indices to a certain base year and not average prices in absolute height. Furthermore, living-cost price indices informs about the percental increas or decrease of the goods’ and achievments’ prices (in relation to a base year). Topics List of data-tables in the search- and downloadsystem HISTAT: A. Living-cost price index of all private households and living-cost price index by household-types (1948-2001). B. Living-cost price index by consumption-groups and main groups; structure by goods, achievements and use of dwellings; structuring by COICOP; housing rents, motorist-price index (1948-2001); C. Consumer prices since 1881; Cost of living since 1924; Price index for nutrition (1881-1913); Realm index figures for living-cost: blue-colour-worker-households with 5 persons by consumption groups (1924-1944); D. Monthly values: Living-cost-price index of all private households (1962-2001); Living-cost-price index of a 4-persons-household with middle income (1950-2001), base years: 1913/14, 1938 = 100 (1948-1994); E. Living-cost price index: international tables (1960-2001).

Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul: Monthly data was reported at 517,132,174.700 1963=100 in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 509,020,201.200 1963=100 for Sep 2018. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul: Monthly data is updated monthly, averaging 202,839.100 1963=100 from Jan 1964 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 658 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 517,132,174.700 1963=100 in Oct 2018 and a record low of 100.400 1963=100 in Aug 1964. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul: Monthly data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Turkey – Table TR.I015: Cost of Living Index: Wage Earners: Istanbul: 1963=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.

A table comparing the cost of living in various European Union countries, including expenses for rent, utilities, food, and transportation in major cities

This table contains data on the living wage and the percent of families with incomes below the living wage for California, its counties, regions and cities/towns. Living wage is the wage needed to cover basic family expenses (basic needs budget) plus all relevant taxes; it does not include publicly provided income or housing assistance. The percent of families below the living wage was calculated using data from the Living Wage Calculator and the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. The table is part of a series of indicators in the Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity. The living wage is the wage or annual income that covers the cost of the bare necessities of life for a worker and his/her family. These necessities include housing, transportation, food, childcare, health care, and payment of taxes. Low income populations and non-white race/ethnic have disproportionately lower wages, poorer housing, and higher levels of food insecurity. More information about the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the About/Attachments section.

This table contains data on the percent of households paying more than 30% (or 50%) of monthly household income towards housing costs for California, its regions, counties, cities/towns, and census tracts. Data is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Consolidated Planning Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) and the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). The table is part of a series of indicators in the [Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity] Affordable, quality housing is central to health, conferring protection from the environment and supporting family life. Housing costs—typically the largest, single expense in a family's budget—also impact decisions that affect health. As housing consumes larger proportions of household income, families have less income for nutrition, health care, transportation, education, etc. Severe cost burdens may induce poverty—which is associated with developmental and behavioral problems in children and accelerated cognitive and physical decline in adults. Low-income families and minority communities are disproportionately affected by the lack of affordable, quality housing. More information about the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the Attachments.

Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul (IB) data was reported at 428,251,644.200 1963=100 in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 383,616,648.700 1963=100 for 2016. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul (IB) data is updated yearly, averaging 12,568.000 1963=100 from Dec 1953 (Median) to 2017, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 428,251,644.200 1963=100 in 2017 and a record low of 40.100 1963=100 in 1953. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul (IB) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Turkey – Table TR.I015: Cost of Living Index: Wage Earners: Istanbul: 1963=100.

PERIOD: 1934-1938. SOURCE: [Statistics and reports of major countries].

In his survey about wage development in Germany from 1871 to 1945 Gerhard Bry (1960) composes an overview about different estimations for index series for costs of living for the period from 1871 to 1913. The index series differ in their regional ties (German Empire, Silesia, Bavaria, Ruhr area, Berlin, Essen, Braunschweig, Lübeck, Mannheim, Stuttgart and Prussia) and also in the composition of the different components (food and rent, only food, costs of living). The indices are in general quite similar to each other, as Bry already noticed. To what extent differences in the details are due to local differences is difficult to assess. The only index, which differs significantly compared to other series from 1877 to 1892, is the board of trade for Krupp, Essen. “In order to test Kuczynski’s index, we compared it with the major available independent food cost measures – whether included in his index or not. This comparison is carried through in the table A-11. In spite of differences in detail there is a rather striking similarity in the behavior of all these series – particularly with respect to trends” (Bry, G., 1960, a. a. O., Appendix A-11). Data tables in HISTAT:A.01 Index – Series of costs of living, comparison of estimations (1871-1913)

Turkey Cost of Living Index: 95=100: Istanbul: Dwelling Expenses data was reported at 23,676.100 1995=100 in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 23,327.800 1995=100 for Sep 2018. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 95=100: Istanbul: Dwelling Expenses data is updated monthly, averaging 9,291.150 1995=100 from Jan 1996 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 274 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,676.100 1995=100 in Oct 2018 and a record low of 150.600 1995=100 in Jan 1996. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 95=100: Istanbul: Dwelling Expenses data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Turkey – Table TR.I012: Cost of Living Index: Wage Earners: Istanbul: 1995=100.

Table comparing monthly living expenses for gap year students in low-cost vs high-cost countries, including housing, education, transport, and emergency savings.

This table contains data on the living wage and the percent of families with incomes below the living wage for California, its counties, regions and cities/towns. Living wage is the wage needed to cover basic family expenses (basic needs budget) plus all relevant taxes; it does not include publicly provided income or housing assistance. The percent of families below the living wage was calculated using data from the Living Wage Calculator and the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. The table is part of a series of indicators in the Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity. The living wage is the wage or annual income that covers the cost of the bare necessities of life for a worker and his/her family. These necessities include housing, transportation, food, childcare, health care, and payment of taxes. Low income populations and non-white race/ethnic have disproportionately lower wages, poorer housing, and higher levels of food insecurity. More information about the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the About/Attachments section.