Cost of living varies widely from one American city to the next, even within the same small geographic area. Whether you’re planning a move or just looking into your options, a cost-of-living comparison gives you hard data to work with for budgeting and decision-making.
What Makes up Cost of Living?
The first thing you need to know about a cost of living comparison is what is actually included. Cost of living measures typically include these expenses:
- Housing (rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance).
- Groceries
- Transportation (car payments, gas, insurance, public transit).
- Utilities (electricity, gas, water, Internet).
- Healthcare (insurance premiums, co-pays, other out-of-pocket costs).
- Miscellaneous expenses (entertainment, childcare, clothing, personal care).
The information on this page is based on the Cost of Living Index (COLI) produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research. In this index, 100 is the national average. A city with a cost of living index of 110 is 10% more expensive than the average US city, and a city with a cost of living index of 85 is 15% cheaper than average.
Quick Insights
According to the COLI, these are the most and least expensive cities in the country. Figures are from the end of 2025.
Cost of Living Compare: Selected Cities Across America
Since the cost of living can vary widely within the same state, this analysis focuses on representative cities across the country. All of these statistics are as of March 2026.
Austin, Texas
The overall cost of living index in Austin is ~ 119 (19% above the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $540,000.
- What’s expensive in Austin: housing, which is significantly higher than the national average.
- Where you save money: no state income tax.
Austin stands out because it’s exploded in popularity and prices over the past decade. Tech workers who have moved there from states like California have driven housing costs up.
Denver, Colorado
The overall cost of living index in Denver is 115 (15% above the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $580,000
- What’s expensive in Denver: housing and healthcare
- Where you save money: groceries, which are priced relatively competitively
Denver has many wonderful features, including mountains and opportunities for outdoor recreation, but housing costs in the city are very high. Areas outside the immediate metro are more affordable.
Seattle, Washington
The cost of living index in Washington is ~ 122 (22% above the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $780,000
- What’s expensive in Seattle: housing, groceries, transportation
- Where you save money: no state income tax
Salaries in Seattle are high relative to other cities of the same size, but living there comes with high costs, particularly near the city centre.
Raleigh, North Carolina
The overall cost of living in Raleigh is ~ 102 (2% above the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $420,000
- What’s expensive in Raleigh: Housing is slightly more expensive in Raleigh
- Where you save money: groceries, transportation, utilities
Raleigh offers good jobs, nice weather, and a reasonable cost of living. Although it’s experiencing a lot of inbound migration, house prices are still more reasonable than in Austin or Nashville.
Columbus, Ohio
The overall cost of living index in Columbus is ~ 92 (8% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $285,000
- What’s expensive in Columbus: Nothing in particular is unusually expensive
- Where you save money: housing, transportation, utilities
Columbus is a very livable college town with a diverse economy. It provides excellent opportunities for families starting out and anyone who wants big city amenities without the prices.
Kansas City, Missouri
The overall cost of living index in Kansas City is ~ 88 (12% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $275,000
- What’s expensive in Kansas City: utilities, which can be high in extreme weather
- Where you save money: housing, groceries, health care
Kansas City offers affordable living with good schools and a strong job market. Housing costs are very reasonable compared to coastal cities.
Des Moines, Iowa
The overall cost of living index in Des Moines is ~ 86 (14% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $240,000
- What’s expensive in Des Moines: heating costs in the winter
- Where you save money, housing, groceries, and transportation
Des Moines is consistently ranked as one of the best places to raise a family, with low crime, good schools, and very affordable housing.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The overall cost of living Index in Tulsa is ~ 83 (17% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $210,000
- What’s expensive in Tulsa: nothing in particular
- Where you save money: housing, groceries, utilities
A great incentive to move to Tulsa is currently being offered through the Tulsa remote program. Backed by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, it offers a $10,000 grant to remote workers who want to move there.
Huntsville, Alabama
The overall cost of living index in Huntsville is ~ 89 (11% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $285,000
- What’s expensive in Huntsville: nothing significantly
- Where you save money: housing, groceries, transportation
Huntsville has strong aerospace and defence industries, good schools, and very affordable living. The city has grown significantly, but hasn’t experienced big spikes in housing prices.
Phoenix, Arizona
The overall cost of living index in Phoenix is ~ 97 (3% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $465,000
- What’s more expensive in Phoenix: summer cooling costs, water
- Where you save money: no state income tax
Phoenix has warm weather year-round, very low humidity, and relatively affordable living for a major metro area. Housing prices have risen, but are still cheaper than in coastal cities.
Tampa, Florida
The overall cost of living index in Tampa is ~ 96 (4% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $395,000
- What’s more expensive in Tampa: homeowners’ insurance and flood insurance
- Where you save money: no state income tax
Tampa combines beautiful beaches, warm weather, and no state income tax. However, hurricane insurance and occasional extreme weather are concerns.
Charlotte, North Carolina
The overall cost of living index in Charlotte is ~ 98 (2% below the national average)
- Median home price: ~ $400,000
- What costs more in Charlotte: housing, which is rising in price in popular neighborhoods
- Where you save money: groceries, utilities
Charlotte is a major banking center with a growing tech Industry. It offers economic opportunity and reasonable costs.
How to Use Cost of Living Comparison Data
When you’re considering places to live, cost-of-living comparison data can be overwhelming. This is the best way to simplify it and make it usable:
- Focus on housing costs. That’s the thing that varies the most from city to city and is also your biggest expense.
- Use a cost-of-living calculator like the PayScale Cost of Living Calculator to figure out what you’d need to earn in a new city to maintain the same lifestyle.
- Verify costs with real-world data. Check real estate listings for rental costs and home prices. Use online platforms to look at tax differences and prices for groceries, utilities, and transportation.
- Add in the cost of the move itself, with a 10% buffer to cover unexpected expenses.
