Where Would My Money Go Farther?
If you’re working hard in New York but still feel like your paycheck evaporates, you’re definitely not alone. New York has some of the highest housing, grocery, healthcare and transportation costs in the entire country. Allow us to highlight the states where your money would stretch much further.
New York (Cost of Living Index: 148.2)
Housing & Utilities: Extremely high
Groceries: High
Transportation: High
Healthcare: High
Misc. Goods & Services: Very high
New York ranks among the most expensive states in America. Even strong salaries struggle to keep up with the sheer cost of daily life, which is why many residents look at relocating for real financial breathing room. And that’s exactly what they’d find in the states below.
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
29. Florida (Cost of Living Index: 101)
Housing & Utilities: Moderate
Groceries: Slightly above average
Transportation: Below average
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Florida isn’t the cheapest, but no state income tax helps your paycheck stretch further. Outside Miami, many cities offer comfortable living at prices far below New York.
Clément Bardot, Wikimedia Commons
28. Illinois (Cost of Living Index: 94.3)
Housing & Utilities: Low to moderate
Groceries: Below average
Transportation: Below average
Healthcare: Average
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Chicago is pricier, but most of Illinois is genuinely affordable. Housing alone feels dramatically cheaper than anything New Yorkers are used to.
27. Pennsylvania (Cost of Living Index: 92.5)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Moderate
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Average
Pennsylvania offers convenience, affordability and proximity to major cities. You get much lower expenses without moving far from home.
Popscreenshot, Wikimedia Commons
26. Virginia (Cost of Living Index: 92)
Housing & Utilities: Moderate
Groceries: Moderate
Transportation: Moderate
Healthcare: Slightly above average
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Virginia blends affordability with strong job opportunities. While some regions cost more, they still don’t come close to New York’s price pressures.
jeff horne from Richmond, VA, Wikimedia Commons
25. Wyoming (Cost of Living Index: 90.5)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Wyoming’s low taxes and low housing prices give your paycheck staying power. It’s a peaceful, wide-open place where money stretches easily.
24. Montana (Cost of Living Index: 94)
Housing & Utilities: Moderate
Groceries: Above average
Transportation: Moderate
Healthcare: High
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
While prices have climbed, Montana still beats New York by a mile. Housing outside major towns remains reasonably priced.
23. Idaho (Cost of Living Index: 94.5)
Housing & Utilities: Moderate
Groceries: Average
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Below average
Idaho isn’t as cheap as before, but everyday expenses remain manageable. It delivers a calmer lifestyle at a much better price.
22. Wisconsin (Cost of Living Index: 89.9)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Below average
Transportation: Moderate
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Wisconsin gives you affordable housing and steady costs across the board. Financial stress drops quickly when your major bills shrink.
John Benson, Wikimedia Commons
21. North Carolina (Cost of Living Index: 96)
Housing & Utilities: Moderate
Groceries: Moderate
Transportation: Moderate
Healthcare: Average
Misc. Goods & Services: Slightly below average
North Carolina offers affordability plus job growth. Cities like Raleigh and Charlotte provide modern living at prices far easier to handle than New York.
20. Texas (Cost of Living Index: 92.6)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Average
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: High
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
With no state income tax and widely affordable housing, Texas gives your income more room to breathe—even in big metro areas.
Roland Arhelger, Wikimedia Commons
19. New Mexico (Cost of Living Index: 88.8)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
New Mexico offers low housing costs and a slower pace that naturally reduces spending. It’s a smart move if you want comfort without high expenses.
18. Louisiana (Cost of Living Index: 88.9)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Below average
Transportation: Below average
Healthcare: High
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Outside New Orleans, Louisiana is extremely affordable. Housing prices alone create a huge difference compared to New York living.
17. South Carolina (Cost of Living Index: 95)
Housing & Utilities: Moderate
Groceries: Moderate
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
South Carolina offers coastal living at a price that doesn’t crush your budget. It’s popular with movers seeking both charm and affordability.
16. Michigan (Cost of Living Index: 89.9)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Moderate
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Michigan’s affordability covers both small towns and major cities. Everyday expenses simply don’t balloon the way they do in New York.
15. Nebraska (Cost of Living Index: 90)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Average
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Nebraska stays consistently inexpensive without sacrificing quality of life. If stability matters most, this state delivers.
14. Georgia (Cost of Living Index: 90.8)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Slightly above average
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: High
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Georgia offers big-city energy without big-city prices. Even Atlanta is cheaper than the Northeast, and the rest of the state is even more affordable.
13. Ohio (Cost of Living Index: 91.5)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Ohio combines low costs with strong industry. You get major-city conveniences for a fraction of New York’s price.
12. South Dakota (Cost of Living Index: 93.7)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
South Dakota’s low taxes and steady prices make it appealing for financial clarity. Your paycheck goes further instantly.
Maxpower2727, Wikimedia Commons
11. Indiana (Cost of Living Index: 91.1)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Indiana is consistently affordable, making it an easy transition for someone overwhelmed by New York’s relentless costs.
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
10. Tennessee (Cost of Living Index: 90.2)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Average
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
With no state income tax and reasonable housing, Tennessee makes a normal paycheck feel like it actually counts.
9. Iowa (Cost of Living Index: 89.5)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Iowa stays reliably affordable and job-friendly. It offers steady, predictable expenses—an appealing contrast to New York volatility.
Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant), Wikimedia Commons
8. Missouri (Cost of Living Index: 88.4)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Moderate
Missouri is one of the best-balanced affordable states. Nothing is wildly expensive, making life feel manageable again.
7. Kansas (Cost of Living Index: 86.5)
Housing & Utilities: Very low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Kansas delivers dependable affordability. Your salary stretches noticeably further when rent and utilities cost this little.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
6. West Virginia (Cost of Living Index: 85.3)
Housing & Utilities: Very low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
West Virginia’s housing prices are among the lowest in the country. It’s one of the easiest places to rebuild financial stability.
Wv funnyman, Wikimedia Commons
5. Kentucky (Cost of Living Index: 93)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Kentucky offers affordability and community without feeling isolated. It’s a strong pick if you want a gentler cost structure.
4. Arkansas (Cost of Living Index: 84.7)
Housing & Utilities: Very low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Average
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Arkansas offers meaningful savings across all categories. People moving from high-cost states feel an immediate difference.
Bart Everson, Wikimedia Commons
3. Alabama (Cost of Living Index: 88.2)
Housing & Utilities: Low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Alabama is consistently inexpensive, making it a reliable place to live comfortably on a modest salary.
2. Mississippi (Cost of Living Index: 85)
Housing & Utilities: Extremely low
Groceries: Very low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Low
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Mississippi frequently ranks as the cheapest state. Everyday life simply costs less here, letting you keep far more of your paycheck.
chmeredith from Jackson, MS, USA, Wikimedia Commons
1. Oklahoma (Cost of Living Index: 85)
Housing & Utilities: Extremely low
Groceries: Low
Transportation: Low
Healthcare: Moderate
Misc. Goods & Services: Low
Oklahoma delivers ultra-low housing and utilities. A New York salary would feel dramatically more powerful here, making it the top choice for maximizing what you earn.
You Might Also Like:
All 50 States Have Been Ranked By How Beautiful Their People Are (Yes, Really)
The States Where You’re Most Likely To Go Broke In 2026—According To Data
Sorry California—These States All Have A Better Quality Of Life Than The Golden State
