The most expensive states to live in right now are generally Hawaii, California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Alaska, with several other coastal and Northeastern states close behind. These rankings come from cost of living indexes that compare housing, groceries, utilities, transport, and other everyday expenses to the U.S. average.

Quick Scoop

  • Hawaii is consistently the most expensive state to call home, with a cost of living index close to double the national average because housing, groceries, and imported goods are so costly.
  • California and New York follow as top-tier expensive states, driven by sky‑high housing costs, especially in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City.
  • Other highly expensive states include Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, Vermont, Connecticut, and Alaska , all with cost of living indexes well above the U.S. baseline of 100.

What “Most Expensive” Really Means

When people ask what are the most expensive states to live in , they are usually talking about a cost of living index that compares each state to the national average of 100. For example, an index of 150 means everyday costs are about 50% higher than the national norm.

Key parts of that index include:

  • Housing (rents, home prices)
  • Groceries and basic food
  • Utilities and energy
  • Transportation (gas, insurance, car ownership)
  • Healthcare and sometimes taxes

Because housing is such a big part of a household budget, states with extreme home prices tend to dominate the “most expensive” lists.

Top Expensive States (2025–2026 data)

Here’s a simplified picture based mainly on recent cost of living index data and analyses of expensive states to live in.

  • Hawaii – Highest overall cost of living; housing and groceries are dramatically above national averages, and geography keeps prices elevated.
  • California – Very high housing and transportation costs, with many metro areas among the priciest in the country.
  • New York – Expensive housing in NYC and surrounding regions plus high taxes and services costs.
  • Massachusetts – High housing, utilities, and general living costs, partially offset by high median incomes.
  • New Jersey – High property taxes and housing costs push the overall index well above average.
  • Alaska – Elevated prices for goods and groceries due to remoteness, plus high healthcare costs.
  • Maryland, Washington, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Arizona – All post cost of living indexes comfortably above 110 in recent rankings, placing them among the more expensive states for ordinary residents.

Why This Is a Trending Topic

Cost of living has been a major trend in public discussion since pandemic- era price surges, and conversations about the “most expensive states to live in” now show up regularly in news videos, blogs, and forums. People compare whether it makes sense to stay in high-cost coastal states or move to cheaper regions with lower housing and tax burdens.

Forum discussions often highlight that “expensive” does not always equal “unaffordable”: some high-cost states also have high median incomes, which helps residents manage those prices. Others point out that ranking only by prices misses local income, taxes, and commuting costs, which all shape real- world affordability.

Mini Takeaway for Movers

If you are weighing a move and wondering what are the most expensive states to live in , the practical takeaway is: Hawaii, California, and New York sit at the top, with a cluster of Northeastern and West Coast states right behind them on most cost of living lists. Before deciding, it helps to look not just at prices, but also at local wages, job prospects, and how much housing you realistically need in the area you are considering.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.