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](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/counting-money.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
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, Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/bozeman-montana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 sky](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/chase-bank.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/wilmington-delaware-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 mississippi](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_555820978.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/lexington-kentucky.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/oregon-face-mask.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 twilight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Indianapolis-Indiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 reflection](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/anchorage-alaska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1362512519.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 LGBT](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/Rock-Springs-Wyoming.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 afternoon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/fayetteville-arkansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 Summer](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/detroit-michigan.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 States](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/portsmouth-new-hampshire.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/greenville-south-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 Towns](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/11/taos-new-mexico-winter.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 Carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/nc.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, Oklahoma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/oklahoma-state.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/shutterstock_1140727250.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/shreveport-louisiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/zanesville-ohio.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 buildings](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/augusta-maine.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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
![Iowa](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/iowa.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 missouri](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/shutterstock_1172007505.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/pennsylvania-face-mask.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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
![Wisconsin](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/wisconsin.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, Georgia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Savannah.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, USA](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/idaho-divorce.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/grand-forks-north-dakota-coronavirus-surge.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_702572374.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 florida](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/panama-city-beach-florida.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/ogallala-nebraska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, Kansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/topeka-kansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/charlottesville-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 fall](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/stowe-vermont-town.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 arizona](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_615741548.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 background](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/shutterstock_1740594446.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, Texas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/laredo-texas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 minnesota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/winona-minnesota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/view-of-downtown-providence-rhode-island-coroanvirus-travel-list.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/new-haven-connecticut.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 utah](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/sandy-utah.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, Maryland](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/waverly-maryland.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, Illinois](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/galena-illinois.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 day](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/aspen-colorado.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/saratoga-springs-new-york.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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
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5
Massachusetts
![Massachusetts](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/mass.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/cape-may-nj.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/downtown-honolulu-hawaii-skyline-covid-under-control.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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, Washington](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/vancouver-washington.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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 dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/fresno-california.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
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.