The cost of maintaining a basic standard of living varies throughout the United States. Housing, food, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities vary in cost from county to county, with the total cost of living in the most expensive place in the country more than twice that of the least expensive place.
The cost of living also varies drastically within states, with rural areas often providing cheaper goods and services than denser, urban areas. In most states, there is a county where the cost of living is at least 25% greater than that of another county.
24/7 Wall St. used data from the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator to identify the most expensive place in every state. We ranked counties based on the estimated monthly cost for a single adult to maintain a modest yet adequate standard of living.
Housing is one of the largest components of cost of living. On average, it accounts for approximately 25% of the total cost of living nationwide. In many of the most expensive places to live, housing accounts for more than a third of total living expenses. These are America’s 25 least affordable housing markets.
Many of the most expensive places to live in every state are also the most desirable places to live. In a majority of the counties on our list, the population growth from 2013 to 2018 was greater than the +3.6% national figure. These are the 25 best counties to live in.
And while many of these counties are currently experiencing high levels of joblessness related to the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment was still below the 13.0% national rate in most as of May 2020. For more on how COVID-19 has impacted U.S. counties, see the counties in every state where COVID-19 is growing the fastest.
Click here to see the most expensive place to live in every state
Click here to read our methodology
1. Alabama: Shelby County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,577
> Monthly housing costs: $841 (23.5% of total)
> Median household income: $75,761 ($6,313 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 6.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Hoover
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2. Alaska: Denali Borough
> Monthly cost of living: $4,362
> Monthly housing costs: $1,087 (24.9% of total)
> Median household income: $84,196 ($7,016 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.7%
> Largest city or town in borough: Healy
3. Arizona: Coconino County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,611
> Monthly housing costs: $816 (22.6% of total)
> Median household income: $57,616 ($4,801 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.7%
> Largest city or town in county: Flagstaff
4. Arkansas: Saline County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,066
> Monthly housing costs: $643 (21.0% of total)
> Median household income: $62,152 ($5,179 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Benton
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5. California: San Mateo County
> Monthly cost of living: $6,391
> Monthly housing costs: $2,228 (34.9% of total)
> Median household income: $113,776 ($9,481 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Daly City
6. Colorado: Douglas County
> Monthly cost of living: $4,328
> Monthly housing costs: $1,302 (30.1% of total)
> Median household income: $115,314 ($9,610 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Highlands Ranch
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7. Connecticut: Fairfield County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,978
> Monthly housing costs: $1,097 (27.6% of total)
> Median household income: $92,969 ($7,747 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Bridgeport
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8. Delaware: New Castle County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,522
> Monthly housing costs: $873 (24.8% of total)
> Median household income: $70,996 ($5,916 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Wilmington
9. Florida: Monroe County
> Monthly cost of living: $4,000
> Monthly housing costs: $1,001 (25.0% of total)
> Median household income: $67,023 ($5,585 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 17.7%
> Largest city or town in county: Key West
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10. Georgia: Forsyth County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,993
> Monthly housing costs: $1,085 (27.2% of total)
> Median household income: $101,743 ($8,479 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Cumming
11. Hawaii: Kalawao County
> Monthly cost of living: $4,565
> Monthly housing costs: $1,174 (25.7% of total)
> Median household income: $61,875 ($5,156 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: Not available
> Largest city or town in county: Kalaupapa
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12. Idaho: Blaine County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,711
> Monthly housing costs: $779 (21.0% of total)
> Median household income: $51,968 ($4,331 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Hailey
13. Illinois: McHenry County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,806
> Monthly housing costs: $981 (25.8% of total)
> Median household income: $84,803 ($7,067 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Crystal Lake
14. Indiana: Hamilton County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,314
> Monthly housing costs: $774 (23.3% of total)
> Median household income: $94,644 ($7,887 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Carmel
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15. Iowa: Story County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,216
> Monthly housing costs: $633 (19.7% of total)
> Median household income: $54,554 ($4,546 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Ames
16. Kansas: Riley County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,458
> Monthly housing costs: $809 (23.4% of total)
> Median household income: $49,910 ($4,159 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Manhattan
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17. Kentucky: Oldham County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,134
> Monthly housing costs: $672 (21.4% of total)
> Median household income: $97,597 ($8,133 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.1%
> Largest city or town in county: La Grange
18. Louisiana: St. Tammany Parish
> Monthly cost of living: $3,353
> Monthly housing costs: $791 (23.6% of total)
> Median household income: $67,706 ($5,642 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.3%
> Largest city or town in parish: Slidell
19. Maine: Cumberland County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,770
> Monthly housing costs: $974 (25.8% of total)
> Median household income: $69,708 ($5,809 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Portland
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20. Maryland: Calvert County
> Monthly cost of living: $4,866
> Monthly housing costs: $1,522 (31.3% of total)
> Median household income: $104,301 ($8,692 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.7%
> Largest city or town in county: Chesapeake Ranch Estates-Drum Point
21. Massachusetts: Nantucket County
> Monthly cost of living: $4,337
> Monthly housing costs: $1,282 (29.6% of total)
> Median household income: $105,171 ($8,764 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 17.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Nantucket
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22. Michigan: Leelanau County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,595
> Monthly housing costs: $688 (19.1% of total)
> Median household income: $63,831 ($5,319 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 17.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Greilickville
23. Minnesota: Washington County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,551
> Monthly housing costs: $903 (25.4% of total)
> Median household income: $92,376 ($7,698 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Woodbury
24. Mississippi: Madison County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,335
> Monthly housing costs: $738 (22.1% of total)
> Median household income: $71,690 ($5,974 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Madison
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25. Missouri: Andrew County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,207
> Monthly housing costs: $576 (17.9% of total)
> Median household income: $55,683 ($4,640 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Savannah
26. Montana: Madison County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,627
> Monthly housing costs: $720 (19.8% of total)
> Median household income: $50,247 ($4,187 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
> Largest city or town in county: Ennis
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27. Nebraska: Arthur County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,642
> Monthly housing costs: $549 (15.1% of total)
> Median household income: $43,854 ($3,655 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Arthur
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28. Nevada: Churchill County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,472
> Monthly housing costs: $733 (21.1% of total)
> Median household income: $51,514 ($4,293 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Fallon
29. New Hampshire: Rockingham County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,527
> Monthly housing costs: $943 (26.7% of total)
> Median household income: $90,429 ($7,536 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.6%
> Largest city or town in county: Derry
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30. New Jersey: Hunterdon County
> Monthly cost of living: $4,108
> Monthly housing costs: $1,089 (26.5% of total)
> Median household income: $112,535 ($9,378 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Flemington
31. New Mexico: Harding County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,214
> Monthly housing costs: $564 (17.6% of total)
> Median household income: $30,875 ($2,573 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 3.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Roy
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32. New York: Putnam County
> Monthly cost of living: $5,181
> Monthly housing costs: $1,511 (29.2% of total)
> Median household income: $102,186 ($8,516 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.6%
> Largest city or town in county: Mahopac
33. North Carolina: Camden County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,993
> Monthly housing costs: $880 (22.0% of total)
> Median household income: $63,349 ($5,279 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Camden
34. North Dakota: Dunn County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,970
> Monthly housing costs: $1,003 (25.3% of total)
> Median household income: $70,500 ($5,875 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
> Largest city or town in county: Killdeer
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35. Ohio: Hocking County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,150
> Monthly housing costs: $607 (19.3% of total)
> Median household income: $50,000 ($4,167 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Logan
36. Oklahoma: Ellis County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,406
> Monthly housing costs: $565 (16.6% of total)
> Median household income: $52,705 ($4,392 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
> Largest city or town in county: Shattuck
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37. Oregon: Clackamas County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,965
> Monthly housing costs: $1,115 (28.1% of total)
> Median household income: $76,597 ($6,383 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Lake Oswego
38. Pennsylvania: Chester County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,833
> Monthly housing costs: $1,007 (26.3% of total)
> Median household income: $96,726 ($8,061 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.6%
> Largest city or town in county: West Chester
39. Rhode Island: Newport County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,503
> Monthly housing costs: $943 (26.9% of total)
> Median household income: $77,237 ($6,436 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Newport
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40. South Carolina: Beaufort County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,649
> Monthly housing costs: $878 (24.1% of total)
> Median household income: $63,110 ($5,259 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Hilton Head Island
41. South Dakota: Custer County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,214
> Monthly housing costs: $591 (18.4% of total)
> Median household income: $55,472 ($4,623 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.1%
> Largest city or town in county: Custer
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42. Tennessee: Williamson County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,737
> Monthly housing costs: $1,013 (27.1% of total)
> Median household income: $109,026 ($9,086 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
> Largest city or town in county: Franklin
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43. Texas: Fort Bend County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,629
> Monthly housing costs: $1,048 (28.9% of total)
> Median household income: $95,561 ($7,963 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Sugar Land
44. Utah: Summit County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,613
> Monthly housing costs: $827 (22.9% of total)
> Median household income: $100,453 ($8,371 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.9%
> Largest city or town in county: Park City
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45. Vermont: Grand Isle County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,999
> Monthly housing costs: $944 (23.6% of total)
> Median household income: $69,583 ($5,799 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.5%
> Largest city or town in county: Alburg
46. Virginia: Fairfax County
> Monthly cost of living: $4,959
> Monthly housing costs: $1,707 (34.4% of total)
> Median household income: $121,133 ($10,094 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Reston
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47. Washington: King County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,787
> Monthly housing costs: $1,167 (30.8% of total)
> Median household income: $89,418 ($7,452 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.3%
> Largest city or town in county: Seattle
48. West Virginia: Jefferson County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,502
> Monthly housing costs: $760 (21.7% of total)
> Median household income: $76,503 ($6,375 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Corporation of Ranson
49. Wisconsin: St. Croix County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,415
> Monthly housing costs: $697 (20.4% of total)
> Median household income: $81,124 ($6,760 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.8%
> Largest city or town in county: Hudson
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50. Wyoming: Teton County
> Monthly cost of living: $3,942
> Monthly housing costs: $882 (22.4% of total)
> Median household income: $83,831 ($6,986 per month)
> May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.0%
> Largest city or town in county: Jackson
Methodology
To identify the most expensive place in every state, 24/7 Wall St. ranked counties based on the estimated cost to meet the basic needs for a single adult on a monthly basis. These needs include housing, food, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities. Estimated monthly cost of living was provided by the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank. All EPI data was adjusted from 2017 dollars to 2019 dollars using Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Supplemental data on median household income came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and are five-year estimates for 2018. Data on unemployment for May 2020 came from the BLS and are not seasonally adjusted.
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