Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bestlifeonline.com.

This Is the Most Expensive State in America, According to Data

From taxes to hourly wages, living in this state costs a pretty penny.

hands counting $100 dollar banknotes on dark wooden surface
Peshkova / Shutterstock

If there ever was a time to fantasize about packing up and setting off for greener pastures, this past year has been it. In addition to showing us all how precious life is, the pandemic proved to many Americans that remote work is no longer a fringe benefit reserved only for upper management, freelancers, or tech innovators, and now the entire US of A is your oyster. But with finances also tighter than ever for many, one key factor to consider if you're looking to relocate is how much it'll cost you to live somewhere new. And for that reason, we at Best Life set out to determine the most expensive state in America—as well the cheapest.


To quantify the cost of living in each state, we looked at five key metrics, which we then gave a weighted value, and applied to our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our 100-point scale Expensive State Index.

First, we looked at the average home value (an average of the median top-tier home value, median single-family house value, median bottom-tier home value, and median condo value), as determined by The Ascent using 2020 data from Zillow. But, as any homeowner will tell you, the cost of owning a home doesn’t stop there. The amount of property taxes that one pays can be a significant drain on their annual income, which is why we factored in the mean effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing (total real taxes paid, divided by total home value), using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s “American Community Survey,” and calculated by the Tax Foundation.

We also looked to the Tax Foundation for the average state and local sales tax rate in each state, determined by a series of calculations to account for variances in city, county, and municipal rates. Finally, we collected and analyzed data on the average median annual household income in each state, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, as well as the estimated living wage in each state from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which is the hourly rate that an individual must earn to support their household.

So, before you decide to make your big move a reality, read on to discover the most expensive state in America, and to see where your current state or future one falls. And to see the area you may want to avoid for another reason, check out The Most Dangerous Small Town in America, According to Data.

50 | Montana

cityscape photo of downtown Bozeman, MontanaiStock

Average home value: $293,685

Average property tax rate: 0.76 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 0.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.55

Annual median household income: $57,153

Expensive State Index Score: 0.00

49 | West Virginia

Charleston, USA - October 17, 2019: West Virginia capital city cityscape skyline with Chase bank and logo on building and cloudy skyiStock

Average home value: $107,064

Average property tax rate: 0.55 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.41 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.00

Annual median household income: $48,850

Expensive State Index Score: 5.14

48 | Delaware

cityscape photo of a pier, lake, and buildings at River Walk Park in Wilmington, Delaware at nightShutterstock

Average home value: $262,667

Average property tax rate: 0.58 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 0.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $33.85

Annual median household income: $70,176

Expensive State Index Score: 5.41

47 | Mississippi

downtown jackson mississippiShutterstock

Average home value: $126,511

Average property tax rate: 0.76 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 0.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.55

Annual median household income: $57,153

Expensive State Index Score: 9.83

46 | Kentucky

cityscape photo of downtown Lexington, Kentucky at nightiStock

Average home value: $150,918

Average property tax rate: 0.82 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.28

Annual median household income: $52,295

Expensive State Index Score: 13.01

45 | Oregon

Eugene, Oregon, USA downtown cityscape at dusk.iStock

Average home value: $350,044

Average property tax rate: 0.98 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 0.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $35.64

Annual median household income: $65,058

Expensive State Index Score: 19.47

44 | Indiana

USA War Memorials and city skyline in Indianapolis, Indiana at twilightShutterstock

Average home value: $161,106

Average property tax rate: 0.87 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.14

Annual median household income: $57,603

Expensive State Index Score: 23.38

43 | Alaska

Anchorage Skyline with a winter reflectioniStock

Average home value: $297,111

Average property tax rate: 1.02 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 1.76 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.66

Annual median household income: $75,463

Expensive State Index Score: 24.76

42 | Alabama

orange beach alabamaShutterstock

Average home value: $147,539

Average property tax rate: 0.40 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 9.22 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.04

Annual median household income: $51,734

Expensive State Index Score: 24.86

41 | Wyoming

aerial photograph Rock Springs, Wyoming, worst place to be LGBTAerial Archives / Alamy Stock Photo

Average home value: $254,753

Average property tax rate: 0.55 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 5.34 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $29.53

Annual median household income: $65,003

Expensive State Index Score: 25.62

40 | Arkansas

cityscape photo of Fayetteville, Arkansas in the afternoonShutterstock

Average home value: $131,837

Average property tax rate: 0.64 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 9.47 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.85

Annual median household income: $48,952

Expensive State Index Score: 25.85

39 | Michigan

capitol park in Detroit downtown SummeriStock

Average home value: $180,404

Average property tax rate: 1.44 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $29.66

Annual median household income: $59,584

Expensive State Index Score: 26.98

38 | New Hampshire

Portsmouth is the third oldest city in the United StatesiStock

Average home value: $303,875

Average property tax rate: 2.03 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 0.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.96

Annual median household income: $77,933

Expensive State Index Score: 27.70

37 | South Carolina

cityscape photos of bridge, lake, and apartment buildings in Greenville, South Carolina at duskShutterstock

Average home value: $193,491

Average property tax rate: 0.56 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.46 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $33.18

Annual median household income: $56,227

Expensive State Index Score: 27.72

36 | New Mexico

Taos, New Mexico Romantic Christmas TownsShutterstock

Average home value: $214,213

Average property tax rate: 0.68 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.82 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.58

Annual median household income: $51,945

Expensive State Index Score: 28.91

35 | North Carolina

North CarolinaShutterstock

Average home value: $210,766

Average property tax rate: 0.85 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.97 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.26

Annual median household income: $57,341

Expensive State Index Score: 29.11

34 | Oklahoma

Stillwater is a city in northeast Oklahoma at the intersection of US-177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, OklahomaiStock

Average home value: $134,289

Average property tax rate: 0.88 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.94 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.58

Annual median household income: $54,449

Expensive State Index Score: 29.23

33 | South Dakota

sioux falls south dakotaShutterstock

Average home value: $217,215

Average property tax rate: 1.22 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.40 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $29.19

Annual median household income: $59,533

Expensive State Index Score: 30.33

32 | Louisiana

Shreveport, Louisiana, USA downtown skyline over the river.iStock

Average home value: $171,485

Average property tax rate: 0.52 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 9.52 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.16

Annual median household income: $51,073

Expensive State Index Score: 31.64

31 | Ohio

high angle view of the city of Zanesville, Ohio.iStock

Average home value: $156,343

Average property tax rate: 1.62 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.17 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $29.55

Annual median household income: $58,642

Expensive State Index Score: 31.81

30 | Maine

augusta maine state capitol buildingsShutterstock

Average home value: $253,914

Average property tax rate: 1.27 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 5.50 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.41

Annual median household income: $58,924

Expensive State Index Score: 32.31

29 | Iowa

IowaShutterstock

Average home value: $155,781

Average property tax rate: 1.50 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.94 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.31

Annual median household income: $61,691

Expensive State Index Score: 32.79

28 | Missouri

kansas city missouriShutterstock

Average home value: $167,700

Average property tax rate: 1.01 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.18 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.55

Annual median household income: $57,409

Expensive State Index Score: 32.91

27 | Pennsylvania

Aerial panorama of Allentown, Pennsylvania skyline on late sunny afternoon. Allentown is Pennsylvania's third most populous city.iStock

Average home value: $200,367

Average property tax rate: 1.51 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.34 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $29.08

Annual median household income: $63,463

Expensive State Index Score: 33.76

26 | Wisconsin

WisconsinShutterstock

Average home value: $206,169

Average property tax rate: 1.73 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 5.46 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.98

Annual median household income: $64,168

Expensive State Index Score: 34.07

25 | Georgia

River Street in Savannah, GeorgiaShutterstock

Average home value: $208,833

Average property tax rate: 0.92 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.31 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.23

Annual median household income: $61,980

Expensive State Index Score: 35.36

24 | Idaho

View of Boise downtown and Idaho Capitol on a fine autumn morning as seen from Capitol Blvd, Boise, Idaho, USAiStock

Average home value: $304,036

Average property tax rate: 0.75 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.03 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.29

Annual median household income: $60,999

Expensive State Index Score: 35.51

23 | North Dakota

A view of buildings in Grand Forks, North DakotaiStock

Average home value: $236,405

Average property tax rate: 0.95 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.86 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $29.55

Annual median household income: $64,577

Expensive State Index Score: 35.68

22 | Tennessee

memphis tennessee skylineShutterstock

Average home value: $192,275

Average property tax rate: 0.73 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 9.53 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $28.97

Annual median household income: $56,071

Expensive State Index Score: 36.74

21 | Florida

panama city beach floridaShutterstock

Average home value: $254,607

Average property tax rate: 0.94 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.05 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.28

Annual median household income: $59,227

Expensive State Index Score: 37.30

And for the part of the country with the least-edible eats, This State Has the Worst Food in America, According to Data.

20 | Nebraska

main street in ogallala nebraskaShutterstock

Average home value: $180,397

Average property tax rate: 1.65 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.93 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.44

Annual median household income: $63,229

Expensive State Index Score: 38.08

19 | Kansas

buildings and the Cooper dome in the downtown area of Topeka, KansasShutterstock

Average home value: $154,531

Average property tax rate: 1.33 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.68 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.66

Annual median household income: $62,087

Expensive State Index Score: 39.87

18 | Virginia

Main street in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.iStock

Average home value: $293,818

Average property tax rate: 0.86 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 5.65 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $33.68

Annual median household income: 76,456

Expensive State Index Score: 45.86

17 | Vermont

charming town in the fallShutterstock

Average home value: $264,777

Average property tax rate: 1.8 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.22 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.92

Annual median household income: 63,001

Expensive State Index Score: 46.01

16 | Arizona

downtown phoenix arizonaShutterstock

Average home value: $283,623

Average property tax rate: 0.67 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.40 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.42

Annual median household income: $62,055

Expensive State Index Score: 46.79

15 | Nevada

city view enterprise, las vegas, nevada, mountains in backgroundKit Leong / Shutterstock

Average home value: $311,018

Average property tax rate: 0.66 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.32 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $30.40

Annual median household income: $63,276

Expensive State Index Score: 48.29

14 | Texas

cityscape photo of Laredo, TexasiStock

Average home value: $213,036

Average property tax rate: 1.69 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.19 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: 30.75

Annual median household income: 64,034

Expensive State Index Score: 48.67

And for the place that is most riddled with rage, This Is the Most Hateful State in America.

13 | Minnesota

aerial view of the town of winona minnesotaShutterstock

Average home value: $266,887

Average property tax rate: 1.11 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.46 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.96

Annual median household income: $74,593

Expensive State Index Score: 53.39

12 | Rhode Island

A view of downtown Providence, Rhode Island on a sunny day.iStock

Average home value: $312,255

Average property tax rate: 1.53 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $31.74

Annual median household income: $71,169

Expensive State Index Score: 56.88

11 | Connecticut

Fair Haven is a neighborhood in the eastern part of the city of New Haven, Connecticut, between the Mill and Quinnipiac rivers.iStock

Average home value: $262,600

Average property tax rate: 1.70 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.35 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $34.13

Annual median household income: $78,883

Expensive State Index Score: 57.03

10 | Utah

sandy utahShutterstock

Average home value: $374,604

Average property tax rate: 0.62 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.18 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.05

Annual median household income: $75,780

Expensive State Index Score: 58.34

9 | Maryland

waverly, marylandShutterstock

Average home value: $317,033

Average property tax rate: 1.04 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.00 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $35.41

Annual median household income: $86,738

Expensive State Index Score: 60.42

8 | Illinois

cityscape of houses and shops downtown Galena, IllinoisShutterstock

Average home value: $204,872

Average property tax rate: 2.05 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 9.08 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $32.53

Annual median household income: $69,187

Expensive State Index Score: 61.25

7 | Colorado

Town in Colorado with vintage architecture on street park square in luxury expensive famous city during summer dayiStock

Average home value: $412,819

Average property tax rate: 0.56 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 7.65 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $34.94

Annual median household income: $77,127

Expensive State Index Score: 67.67

6 | New York

Exterior of brick building in the historical centre in Saratoga NY.iStock

Average home value: $331,459

Average property tax rate: 1.40 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.52 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $35.98

Annual median household income: $72,108

Expensive State Index Score: 69.91

And for more exclusive rankings sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

5 | Massachusetts

MassachusettsShutterstock

Average home value: $439,541

Average property tax rate: 1.15 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.25 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $34.72

Annual median household income: $85,843

Expensive State Index Score: 74.85

4 | New Jersey

People bike and walk in front of traditional villas in Cape May, New Jersey, USA, on a sunny summer day.iStock

Average home value: $346,368

Average property tax rate: 2.21 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 6.60 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $35.18

Annual median household income: $85,751

Expensive State Index Score: 78.14

3 | Hawaii

An aerial shot of downtown Honolulu, Hawaii from the water looking inland.iStock

Average home value: $646,733

Average property tax rate: .03 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 4.44 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $40.40

Annual median household income: $83,102

Expensive State Index Score: 81.51

2 | Washington

the Columbia River Renaissance Trail and house in Vancouver, WashingtoniStock

Average home value: $439,487

Average property tax rate: 0.92 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 9.21 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $33.31

Annual median household income: $76,687

Expensive State Index Score: 82.27

1 | California

cityscape photo of downtown Fresno, California at duskiStock

Average home value: $579,332

Average property tax rate: 0.72 percent

Average state and local sales tax rate: 8.66 percent

Estimated hourly living wage: $40.83

Annual median household income: $80,440

Expensive State Index Score: 100.00

And for the state where residents have another concern, This Is the Most Dangerous State in America, According to Data.