• This is the Cost of Living Index by Country Dataset.
• This dataset provides a comparative and detailed overview of living costs across various countries.
• It includes various indices such as Cost of Living, Rent, Cost of Living Plus Rent, Groceries, Restaurant Prices, and Local Purchasing Power of various Countries.
• These indices are used for understanding and comparing the relative affordability and purchasing power in different regions globally.
• This Dataset consists of 7 columns

Columns Discription:

1. Country: The name of the country for which the indices are calculated in this Dataset.
2. Cost of Living Index: Measures the average cost of basic necessities.
3. Rent Index: It Compares the average cost of renting a house or apartment in the country.
4. Cost of Living Plus Rent Index: It Combines both the Cost of Living and Rent indices to provide a comprehensive and detail view of total living expenses.
5. Groceries Index: It measures the average cost of food and other grocery items.
6. Restaurant Price Index: It Compares the average cost of dining out at restaurants.
7. Local Purchasing Power Index: It reflects the relative purchasing power of locals based on their average salary and cost of living in the country. ## Usefulness of the Dataset:

• Comparative Analysis: It allows individuals, businesses, and policymakers to compare living costs across different countries and it helps in decision-making.
• Cost Estimation: It is useful for travelers in estimating the cost of living in various destinations.
• Economic Insights: It Provides insights into economic disparities, affordability, and local purchasing power globally.
• Policy Formulation: It helps governments and organizations in understanding economic challenges and formulating policies related to cost of living adjustments and economic development strategies. However,this dataset serves as a valuable resource in understanding global economic trends and making informed decisions related to economic policy.

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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.

The US Family Budget Dataset provides insights into the cost of living in different US counties based on the Family Budget Calculator by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

This dataset offers community-specific estimates for ten family types, including one or two adults with zero to four children, in all 1877 counties and metro areas across the United States.

Interesting Task Ideas:

1. See how family budgets compare to the federal poverty line and the Supplemental Poverty Measure in different counties.
2. Look into the money challenges faced by different types of families using the budgets provided.
3. Find out which counties have the most affordable places to live, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, and other things people need.
4. Explore how the average income of families relates to the overall cost of living in different counties.
5. Investigate how family size affects the estimated budget and find counties where bigger families have higher costs.
6. Create visuals showing how the cost of living varies across different states and big cities.
7. Check whether specific counties are affordable for families of different sizes and types.
8. Use the dataset to compare living standards and economic security in different US counties.

If you find this dataset valuable, don't forget to hit the upvote button! 😊💝

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Information about sample sizes, response rates, household characteristics, and expenditure uncertainty metrics for the Living Costs and Food Survey.

The consumer sentiment index in the United States stood at 55.6 in March 2026. This reflected a decrease of one point from the previous month. A recent low in consumer sentiment was recorded in November 2025, when the index fell to 51 points. The index is normalized to a value of 100 in December 1964 and based on a monthly survey of consumers conducted in the continental United States. It consists of about 50 core questions that cover consumers' assessments of their personal financial situation, their buying attitudes, and overall economic conditions.

In 2024, the average annual expenditure of consumer units in the United States increased by 1.8 percent from the previous year. Since 2021, the annual consumer expenditure has continued to increase. By expenditure category, housing was the largest expense by far for American households.

The average for 2021 based on 15 countries was 71.6 index points. The highest value was in Qatar: 116.18 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.

In 2024, married couple without children households spent 88,687 U.S. dollars on average. Married couples with an eldest child between the ages of 6 and 17 had the highest average expenditure, at 117,355 U.S. dollars.

Abstract

C2ER produces the Cost of Living Index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences among urban areas. Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures. Weights assigned to relative costs are based on government survey data on expenditure patterns for professional and executive households. All items are priced in each place at a specified time and according to standardized specifications.

Methodology

The Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan, equals 100, and each participant’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all places.

The Index does not measure inflation (price change over time). Because each quarterly report is a separate comparison of prices at a single point in time, and because both the number and the mix of participants changes from one quarter to the next, Index data from different quarters cannot be compared. For inflation data, contact the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at www.bls.gov.

The Index reflects cost differentials for professional and executive households in the top income quintile. Operationally, this standard of living is set by the weighting structure. Homeownership costs, for example, are more heavily weighted than they would be if the Index reflected a clerical worker standard of living or average costs for all urban consumers. (Weights for component indexes appear above column headings—e.g., 15.29% for Grocery Items.)

Because the number of items priced is limited, it is not valid to treat percentage differences between areas as exact measures. Since judgment sampling is used in this survey, no confidence interval can be determined. Small differences, however, should not be construed as significant—or even as indicating correctly which area is the more expensive.

PARTICIPATING AREAS: Areas included in this survey are those where chambers of commerce or similar organizations have volunteered to participate. The number of respondents varies from quarter to quarter, and C2ER makes a continuing effort to expand coverage of metropolitan areas. Any metropolitan area not represented in this report is absent because local organizations have opted not to collect data. C2ER has no data for areas that do not appear in this report.

PRICE REPORTING: C2ER stringently reviews all prices reported, and attempts to eliminate errors and noncompliance with specifications. All price data are obtained from sources deemed reliable, but no representation is made as to the complete accuracy thereof. They are published subject to errors, omissions, changes, and withdrawals without notice.

SPECIFICATIONS: Abbreviated specifications for all items are presented only as a guide to users of this report; far more detailed specifications are contained in the manual that governs pricing, which may be found at www.c2er.org

EXCLUSION OF TAXES: C2ER is fully cognizant that state and local taxes are an integral part of the cost of living, and that tax burdens vary widely not only among states and metropolitan areas, but even within metropolitan areas. Due to the multiplicity of state and local taxes, taxing jurisdictions, and assessment procedures, it is not feasible to calculate local tax burdens reliably. C2ER has opted to produce an index that adequately measures differences in goods and services costs, rather than to produce an inaccurate measure that attempts to incorporate taxes levied on real and intangible property, retail purchases, and income.

TWO SECTIONS OF QUARTERLY DATA:

URBAN AREA INDEX DATA: This section shows each participating area's Composite Index and six component indexes—Grocery Items, Housing, Utilities, Transportation, Health Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services. Places are listed by state. Within each state, places appear alphabetically within metropolitan area, metropolitan division or micropolitan area in the U.S. C2ER has adopted the new 2013 metro and micro area definitions announced by the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Data users who opt to use suburban places as surrogates for central cities should be aware that living cost differences can exist within large metropolitan areas. This caution is particularly important where there are substantial differences in housing costs and/or utility rates.

AVERAGE PRICES: The average price reported for each item in the survey is shown for each participating place. Places are listed alphabetically within state, without respect to metropolitan or micropolitan status. After the final state listing, this section presents the median, average, standard deviation, and range for each item.

Usage

COPYRIGHT POLICY: Each issue of the Cost of Living Index is copyrighted. Printing, transferrin

Indonesia: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 53.97 index points, a decline from 54.52 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 79.81 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for Indonesia from 2017 to 2021 is 54.25 index points. The minimum value, 53.97 index points, was reached in 2021 while the maximum of 54.52 index points was recorded in 2017.

Comprehensive cost data of senior living in North Carolina vs national costs

Russia Living Cost: Average per Month data was reported at 10,213.000 RUB in Dec 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10,451.000 RUB for Sep 2018. Russia Living Cost: Average per Month data is updated quarterly, averaging 3,050.000 RUB from Mar 1992 (Median) to Dec 2018, with 108 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,451.000 RUB in Sep 2018 and a record low of 1.423 RUB in Jun 1992. Russia Living Cost: Average per Month 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.HF001: Living Cost.

Canada: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 152.25 index points, an increase from 142.12 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 79.81 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for Canada from 2017 to 2021 is 147.19 index points. The minimum value, 142.12 index points, was reached in 2017 while the maximum of 152.25 index points was recorded in 2021.

Living Cost: Average per Month: SF: Republic of Crimea data was reported at 11,074.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,945.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Average per Month: SF: Republic of Crimea data is updated quarterly, averaging 9,798.500 RUB from Sep 2014 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,074.000 RUB in Dec 2020 and a record low of 5,786.000 RUB in Sep 2014. Living Cost: Average per Month: SF: Republic of Crimea 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.HF001: Living Cost.

Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: FE: Chukotka Area data was reported at 18,524.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 18,426.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: FE: Chukotka Area data is updated quarterly, averaging 9,760.000 RUB from Jun 2003 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 71 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18,524.000 RUB in Dec 2020 and a record low of 4,371.000 RUB in Sep 2003. Living Cost: Pensioners: Average per Month: FE: Chukotka Area 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.

This Cost of International Education dataset compiles detailed financial information for students pursuing higher education abroad. It covers multiple countries, cities, and universities around the world, capturing the full tuition and living expenses spectrum alongside key ancillary costs. With standardized fields such as tuition in USD, living-cost indices, rent, visa fees, insurance, and up-to-date exchange rates, it enables comparative analysis across programs, degree levels, and geographies. Whether you’re a prospective international student mapping out budgets, an educational consultant advising on affordability, or a researcher studying global education economics, this dataset offers a comprehensive foundation for data-driven insights.

Description

Potential Uses

• Budget Planning Prospective students can filter by country, program level, or university to forecast total expenses and compare across destinations.
• Policy Analysis Educational policymakers and NGOs can assess the affordability of international education and design support programs.
• Economic Research Economists can correlate living-cost indices and tuition levels with enrollment rates or student demographics.
• University Benchmarking Institutions can benchmark their fees and ancillary costs against peer universities worldwide.

Notes on Data Collection & Quality

• Currency Conversions All monetary values are unified to USD using contemporaneous exchange rates to facilitate direct comparison.
• Living Cost Index Derived from reputable city-index publications (e.g., Numbeo, Mercer) to standardize disparate cost-of-living metrics.
• Data Currency Exchange rates and fee schedules should be periodically updated to reflect market fluctuations and policy changes.

Feel free to explore, visualize, and extend this dataset for deeper insights into the true cost of studying abroad!

The average for 2021 based on 10 countries was 59.91 index points. The highest value was in Singapore: 118.34 index points and the lowest value was in India: 40.44 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity data for 387 metro areas and 51 states, measuring relative costs of goods, services, and rents.

Living Cost: Average per Month: VR: Republic of Udmurtia data was reported at 10,314.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10,470.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Average per Month: VR: Republic of Udmurtia data is updated quarterly, averaging 5,277.000 RUB from Jun 2001 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 79 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,470.000 RUB in Sep 2020 and a record low of 1,383.000 RUB in Dec 2001. Living Cost: Average per Month: VR: Republic of Udmurtia 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.HF001: Living Cost.

Living Cost: Average per Month: FE: Sakhalin Region data was reported at 16,130.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 16,408.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Average per Month: FE: Sakhalin Region data is updated quarterly, averaging 9,918.000 RUB from Mar 2002 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 76 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,408.000 RUB in Sep 2020 and a record low of 2,929.000 RUB in Mar 2002. Living Cost: Average per Month: FE: Sakhalin Region 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.HF001: Living Cost.