{
 "dataset": "True Cost of Living Index, 2026",
 "description": "Every state ranked by what an ordinary paycheck buys once income tax and local prices are both counted, for three households. 100 is the average state. Method: howmuchitreallycosts.com/true-cost-of-living.",
 "publisher": "How Much It Really Costs",
 "url": "https://howmuchitreallycosts.com/data#true-cost-of-living-index",
 "taxYear": 2026,
 "computedByPublisher": true,
 "sources": [
  {
   "label": "Federal and state income tax schedules",
   "url": "https://howmuchitreallycosts.com/sources",
   "asOf": "2026-01-01"
  },
  {
   "label": "US Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP), 2023",
   "url": "https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/SARPP.zip",
   "asOf": "2023-12-31"
  }
 ],
 "columns": [
  {
   "name": "rank",
   "meaning": "1 = the same pay buys the most"
  },
  {
   "name": "state",
   "meaning": "Two-letter postal code"
  },
  {
   "name": "state_name",
   "meaning": "State or DC"
  },
  {
   "name": "index",
   "meaning": "Mean of the three household scores; 100 = the average state"
  },
  {
   "name": "score_single50",
   "meaning": "Single, $50,000: 100 × purchasing power ÷ the 51-state mean"
  },
  {
   "name": "score_single75",
   "meaning": "Single, $75,000: 100 × purchasing power ÷ the 51-state mean"
  },
  {
   "name": "score_couple120",
   "meaning": "Married couple, $120,000: 100 × purchasing power ÷ the 51-state mean"
  },
  {
   "name": "tax_share_75k_single",
   "meaning": "Share of a $75,000 salary taken by federal, FICA and state income tax"
  },
  {
   "name": "price_level_index",
   "meaning": "BEA all-items regional price parity, 100 = national average"
  }
 ],
 "rows": [
  {
   "rank": 1,
   "state": "SD",
   "state_name": "South Dakota",
   "index": 113.43,
   "score_single50": 113.05,
   "score_single75": 113.73,
   "score_couple120": 113.51,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 88.095
  },
  {
   "rank": 2,
   "state": "ND",
   "state_name": "North Dakota",
   "index": 112.65,
   "score_single50": 112.44,
   "score_single75": 112.74,
   "score_couple120": 112.75,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.181477,
   "price_level_index": 88.572
  },
  {
   "rank": 3,
   "state": "AR",
   "state_name": "Arkansas",
   "index": 111.31,
   "score_single50": 111.34,
   "score_single75": 111.46,
   "score_couple120": 111.13,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.209652,
   "price_level_index": 86.508
  },
  {
   "rank": 4,
   "state": "WY",
   "state_name": "Wyoming",
   "index": 109.99,
   "score_single50": 109.62,
   "score_single75": 110.28,
   "score_couple120": 110.07,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 90.848
  },
  {
   "rank": 5,
   "state": "LA",
   "state_name": "Louisiana",
   "index": 109.92,
   "score_single50": 109.76,
   "score_single75": 109.98,
   "score_couple120": 110.02,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.203617,
   "price_level_index": 88.345
  },
  {
   "rank": 6,
   "state": "MS",
   "state_name": "Mississippi",
   "index": 109.21,
   "score_single50": 108.95,
   "score_single75": 109.36,
   "score_couple120": 109.31,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.21754,
   "price_level_index": 87.292
  },
  {
   "rank": 7,
   "state": "IA",
   "state_name": "Iowa",
   "index": 108.82,
   "score_single50": 108.78,
   "score_single75": 108.77,
   "score_couple120": 108.92,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.208609,
   "price_level_index": 88.767
  },
  {
   "rank": 8,
   "state": "OK",
   "state_name": "Oklahoma",
   "index": 108.22,
   "score_single50": 108.14,
   "score_single75": 108.19,
   "score_couple120": 108.32,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.217093,
   "price_level_index": 88.286
  },
  {
   "rank": 9,
   "state": "TN",
   "state_name": "Tennessee",
   "index": 108.01,
   "score_single50": 107.65,
   "score_single75": 108.3,
   "score_couple120": 108.09,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 92.515
  },
  {
   "rank": 10,
   "state": "WV",
   "state_name": "West Virginia",
   "index": 106.85,
   "score_single50": 107.15,
   "score_single75": 106.99,
   "score_couple120": 106.4,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.212712,
   "price_level_index": 89.772
  },
  {
   "rank": 10,
   "state": "NM",
   "state_name": "New Mexico",
   "index": 106.83,
   "score_single50": 107.1,
   "score_single75": 106.6,
   "score_couple120": 106.78,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.210224,
   "price_level_index": 90.386
  },
  {
   "rank": 12,
   "state": "OH",
   "state_name": "Ohio",
   "index": 106.55,
   "score_single50": 106.78,
   "score_single75": 106.74,
   "score_couple120": 106.13,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.196715,
   "price_level_index": 91.812
  },
  {
   "rank": 13,
   "state": "MT",
   "state_name": "Montana",
   "index": 106.1,
   "score_single50": 106.2,
   "score_single75": 105.84,
   "score_couple120": 106.27,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.217121,
   "price_level_index": 90.244
  },
  {
   "rank": 13,
   "state": "NE",
   "state_name": "Nebraska",
   "index": 106.1,
   "score_single50": 106.11,
   "score_single75": 105.98,
   "score_couple120": 106.2,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.214886,
   "price_level_index": 90.376
  },
  {
   "rank": 15,
   "state": "KY",
   "state_name": "Kentucky",
   "index": 106.05,
   "score_single50": 105.84,
   "score_single75": 106.24,
   "score_couple120": 106.06,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.212199,
   "price_level_index": 90.468
  },
  {
   "rank": 16,
   "state": "AL",
   "state_name": "Alabama",
   "index": 105.37,
   "score_single50": 105.09,
   "score_single75": 105.57,
   "score_couple120": 105.45,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.221453,
   "price_level_index": 89.97
  },
  {
   "rank": 17,
   "state": "MO",
   "state_name": "Missouri",
   "index": 104.74,
   "score_single50": 104.91,
   "score_single75": 104.6,
   "score_couple120": 104.71,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.213269,
   "price_level_index": 91.762
  },
  {
   "rank": 18,
   "state": "IN",
   "state_name": "Indiana",
   "index": 104.64,
   "score_single50": 104.35,
   "score_single75": 104.83,
   "score_couple120": 104.73,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.207873,
   "price_level_index": 92.184
  },
  {
   "rank": 19,
   "state": "KS",
   "state_name": "Kansas",
   "index": 104.32,
   "score_single50": 104.16,
   "score_single75": 104.32,
   "score_couple120": 104.47,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.230719,
   "price_level_index": 89.965
  },
  {
   "rank": 20,
   "state": "ID",
   "state_name": "Idaho",
   "index": 104.22,
   "score_single50": 104.31,
   "score_single75": 104.03,
   "score_couple120": 104.33,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.220389,
   "price_level_index": 91.425
  },
  {
   "rank": 21,
   "state": "SC",
   "state_name": "South Carolina",
   "index": 103.33,
   "score_single50": 104.36,
   "score_single75": 102.89,
   "score_couple120": 102.75,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.214194,
   "price_level_index": 93.177
  },
  {
   "rank": 22,
   "state": "NV",
   "state_name": "Nevada",
   "index": 103.04,
   "score_single50": 102.69,
   "score_single75": 103.31,
   "score_couple120": 103.11,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 96.98
  },
  {
   "rank": 23,
   "state": "TX",
   "state_name": "Texas",
   "index": 102.83,
   "score_single50": 102.48,
   "score_single75": 103.1,
   "score_couple120": 102.91,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 97.175
  },
  {
   "rank": 24,
   "state": "WI",
   "state_name": "Wisconsin",
   "index": 102.4,
   "score_single50": 102.9,
   "score_single75": 102.38,
   "score_couple120": 101.91,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.218736,
   "price_level_index": 93.097
  },
  {
   "rank": 25,
   "state": "NC",
   "state_name": "North Carolina",
   "index": 102.16,
   "score_single50": 102.08,
   "score_single75": 102.14,
   "score_couple120": 102.25,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.211884,
   "price_level_index": 94.139
  },
  {
   "rank": 26,
   "state": "MI",
   "state_name": "Michigan",
   "index": 101.23,
   "score_single50": 101.06,
   "score_single75": 101.31,
   "score_couple120": 101.33,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.217923,
   "price_level_index": 94.184
  },
  {
   "rank": 27,
   "state": "UT",
   "state_name": "Utah",
   "index": 99.58,
   "score_single50": 99.32,
   "score_single75": 99.75,
   "score_couple120": 99.68,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.223267,
   "price_level_index": 95.002
  },
  {
   "rank": 28,
   "state": "VT",
   "state_name": "Vermont",
   "index": 99.21,
   "score_single50": 99.61,
   "score_single75": 98.9,
   "score_couple120": 99.14,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.216628,
   "price_level_index": 96.635
  },
  {
   "rank": 29,
   "state": "PA",
   "state_name": "Pennsylvania",
   "index": 98.72,
   "score_single50": 98.44,
   "score_single75": 98.92,
   "score_couple120": 98.81,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.209467,
   "price_level_index": 97.5
  },
  {
   "rank": 30,
   "state": "GA",
   "state_name": "Georgia",
   "index": 98.4,
   "score_single50": 98.38,
   "score_single75": 98.32,
   "score_couple120": 98.5,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.220683,
   "price_level_index": 96.699
  },
  {
   "rank": 31,
   "state": "AK",
   "state_name": "Alaska",
   "index": 98.24,
   "score_single50": 97.91,
   "score_single75": 98.5,
   "score_couple120": 98.31,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 101.715
  },
  {
   "rank": 32,
   "state": "ME",
   "state_name": "Maine",
   "index": 97.31,
   "score_single50": 97.59,
   "score_single75": 96.92,
   "score_couple120": 97.41,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.228666,
   "price_level_index": 97.097
  },
  {
   "rank": 33,
   "state": "AZ",
   "state_name": "Arizona",
   "index": 96.67,
   "score_single50": 96.53,
   "score_single75": 96.73,
   "score_couple120": 96.75,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.1984,
   "price_level_index": 101.105
  },
  {
   "rank": 34,
   "state": "FL",
   "state_name": "Florida",
   "index": 96.59,
   "score_single50": 96.27,
   "score_single75": 96.85,
   "score_couple120": 96.66,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 103.452
  },
  {
   "rank": 35,
   "state": "MN",
   "state_name": "Minnesota",
   "index": 96.26,
   "score_single50": 96.71,
   "score_single75": 95.89,
   "score_couple120": 96.19,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.226455,
   "price_level_index": 98.417
  },
  {
   "rank": 36,
   "state": "IL",
   "state_name": "Illinois",
   "index": 95.39,
   "score_single50": 95.2,
   "score_single75": 95.48,
   "score_couple120": 95.49,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.226336,
   "price_level_index": 98.855
  },
  {
   "rank": 37,
   "state": "RI",
   "state_name": "Rhode Island",
   "index": 94.89,
   "score_single50": 94.83,
   "score_single75": 94.96,
   "score_couple120": 94.87,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.210667,
   "price_level_index": 101.412
  },
  {
   "rank": 37,
   "state": "NH",
   "state_name": "New Hampshire",
   "index": 94.86,
   "score_single50": 94.54,
   "score_single75": 95.11,
   "score_couple120": 94.93,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 105.345
  },
  {
   "rank": 39,
   "state": "CO",
   "state_name": "Colorado",
   "index": 94.76,
   "score_single50": 94.77,
   "score_single75": 94.67,
   "score_couple120": 94.86,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.213321,
   "price_level_index": 101.382
  },
  {
   "rank": 40,
   "state": "DE",
   "state_name": "Delaware",
   "index": 94.75,
   "score_single50": 95.11,
   "score_single75": 94.85,
   "score_couple120": 94.28,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.228353,
   "price_level_index": 99.253
  },
  {
   "rank": 41,
   "state": "VA",
   "state_name": "Virginia",
   "index": 93.78,
   "score_single50": 93.91,
   "score_single75": 93.71,
   "score_couple120": 93.71,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.226125,
   "price_level_index": 100.749
  },
  {
   "rank": 42,
   "state": "WA",
   "state_name": "Washington",
   "index": 92.05,
   "score_single50": 91.73,
   "score_single75": 92.29,
   "score_couple120": 92.11,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.178767,
   "price_level_index": 108.562
  },
  {
   "rank": 43,
   "state": "CT",
   "state_name": "Connecticut",
   "index": 91.47,
   "score_single50": 91.51,
   "score_single75": 91.33,
   "score_couple120": 91.56,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.223767,
   "price_level_index": 103.689
  },
  {
   "rank": 44,
   "state": "MD",
   "state_name": "Maryland",
   "index": 91.33,
   "score_single50": 91.24,
   "score_single75": 91.36,
   "score_couple120": 91.39,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.221418,
   "price_level_index": 103.965
  },
  {
   "rank": 45,
   "state": "NJ",
   "state_name": "New Jersey",
   "index": 88.47,
   "score_single50": 88.84,
   "score_single75": 88.14,
   "score_couple120": 88.43,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.21338,
   "price_level_index": 108.883
  },
  {
   "rank": 46,
   "state": "NY",
   "state_name": "New York",
   "index": 87.93,
   "score_single50": 87.94,
   "score_single75": 87.87,
   "score_couple120": 87.97,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.224807,
   "price_level_index": 107.626
  },
  {
   "rank": 47,
   "state": "MA",
   "state_name": "Massachusetts",
   "index": 87.36,
   "score_single50": 87.27,
   "score_single75": 87.41,
   "score_couple120": 87.38,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.2245,
   "price_level_index": 108.238
  },
  {
   "rank": 48,
   "state": "OR",
   "state_name": "Oregon",
   "index": 86.48,
   "score_single50": 86.51,
   "score_single75": 86.33,
   "score_couple120": 86.59,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.258931,
   "price_level_index": 104.721
  },
  {
   "rank": 49,
   "state": "HI",
   "state_name": "Hawaii",
   "index": 86.27,
   "score_single50": 86.57,
   "score_single75": 85.87,
   "score_couple120": 86.38,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.235524,
   "price_level_index": 108.609
  },
  {
   "rank": 50,
   "state": "CA",
   "state_name": "California",
   "index": 85.47,
   "score_single50": 85.97,
   "score_single75": 84.76,
   "score_couple120": 85.66,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.217801,
   "price_level_index": 112.581
  },
  {
   "rank": 50,
   "state": "DC",
   "state_name": "District of Columbia",
   "index": 85.46,
   "score_single50": 85.99,
   "score_single75": 85.39,
   "score_couple120": 85,
   "tax_share_75k_single": 0.22448,
   "price_level_index": 110.804
  }
 ]
}