The cost of living in America continues to trend upward, especially in the country’s biggest metropolitan areas. GOBankingRates recently launched a study to determine the cost of living in the five biggest cities in every state.
GOBankingRates located the five largest cities (by population) in all 50 states, per the US Census Bureau. Once those 250 cities were selected, GOBankingRates sourced cost of living indexes for each via Sperling’s BestPlaces, as well as the average home values for each city from Zillow’s Home Value Index.
Considering buying a home in one of the largest urban centers in your state? Thinking about transplanting to a big city across the country? GOBankingRates has provided a handy guide just for you.
Alabama
Huntsville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,588
- Average home value: $284,401
Birmingham
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,754
- Average home value: $127,342
Montgomery
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,819
- Average home value: $146,741
Mobile
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,095
- Average home value: $195,223
Tuscaloosa
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,217
- Average home value: $223,662
Find Out: 22 States in or Near a Recession Right Now — and What It Means for Residents
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Alaska
Anchorage
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,827
- Average home value: $441,344
Fairbanks
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,030
- Average home value: $296,551
Juneau
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,904
- Average home value: $493,530
Wasilla
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,829
- Average home value: $379,918
Meadow Lakes
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,707
- Average home value: $379,918
Also See: The Line Between Middle Class and Upper-Middle Class in Every State
Check Out: The Median Salary of Americans Your Age in Every State
Arizona
Phoenix
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,408
- Average home value: $416,044
Tucson
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,760
- Average home value: $331,247
Mesa
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,518
- Average home value: $441,108
Chandler
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,008
- Average home value: $529,000
Gilbert
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,264
- Average home value: $569,658
Find Out: How Much You Need To Be in the Top 5% in Every State
Arkansas
Little Rock
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,035
- Average home value: $211,861
Fayetteville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,970
- Average home value: $374,207
Fort Smith
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,849
- Average home value: $188,401
Springdale
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,713
- Average home value: $329,154
Jonesboro
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,058
- Average home value: $219,930
California
Los Angeles
- Monthly cost of necessities: $7,943
- Average home value: $1,004,805
San Diego
- Monthly cost of necessities: $8,394
- Average home value: $1,116,601
San Jose
- Monthly cost of necessities: $10,772
- Average home value: $1,498,721
San Francisco
- Monthly cost of necessities: $10,304
- Average home value: $1,396,086
Fresno
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,256
- Average home value: $394,030
Colorado
Denver
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,272
- Average home value: $573,331
Colorado Springs
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,441
- Average home value: $454,408
Aurora
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,792
- Average home value: $482,211
Fort Collins
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,143
- Average home value: $578,964
Lakewood
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,374
- Average home value: $591,493
Connecticut
Bridgeport
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,703
- Average home value: $390,222
Stamford
- Monthly cost of necessities: $7,159
- Average home value: $851,542
New Haven
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,237
- Average home value: $337,469
Hartford
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,785
- Average home value: $266,219
Waterbury
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,932
- Average home value: $291,562
Delaware
Wilmington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,976
- Average home value: $333,117
Dover
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,919
- Average home value: $336,541
Newark
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,185
- Average home value: $364,759
Middletown
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,202
- Average home value: $527,248
Bear
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,481
- Average home value: $411,613
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Florida
Jacksonville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,688
- Average home value: $293,132
Miami
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,929
- Average home value: $650,331
Tampa
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,263
- Average home value: $385,312
Orlando
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,347
- Average home value: $399,023
St. Petersburg
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,142
- Average home value: $368,188
Georgia
Atlanta
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,600
- Average home value: $438,063
Columbus
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,852
- Average home value: $168,293
Augusta
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,897
- Average home value: $173,490
Macon
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,884
- Average home value: $166,753
Savannah
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,789
- Average home value: $329,377
Hawaii
Honolulu
- Monthly cost of necessities: $9,573
- Average home value: $1,241,149
Hilo
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,640
- Average home value: $549,501
Pearl
- Monthly cost of necessities: $8,107
- Average home value: $963,375
Waipahu
- Monthly cost of necessities: $7,883
- Average home value: $915,097
Kailua
- Monthly cost of necessities: $11,226
- Average home value: $1,550,534
Idaho
Boise
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,616
- Average home value: $492,678
Meridian
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,842
- Average home value: $527,354
Nampa
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,143
- Average home value: $406,207
Idaho Falls
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,993
- Average home value: $386,396
Caldwell
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,048
- Average home value: $389,194
Illinois
Chicago
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,892
- Average home value: $307,130
Aurora
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,745
- Average home value: $320,950
Joliet
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,432
- Average home value: $259,460
Naperville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,673
- Average home value: $627,686
Rockford
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,874
- Average home value: $168,776
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Indiana
Indianapolis
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,208
- Average home value: $230,717
Fort Wayne
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,150
- Average home value: $235,850
Evansville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,933
- Average home value: $192,732
South Bend
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,787
- Average home value: $179,910
Fishers
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,496
- Average home value: $449,724
Iowa
Des Moines
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,016
- Average home value: $206,555
Cedar Rapids
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,063
- Average home value: $213,140
Davenport
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,942
- Average home value: $186,846
Sioux City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,883
- Average home value: $194,112
Iowa City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,682
- Average home value: $324,044
Kansas
Witchita
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,057
- Average home value: $197,911
Overland Park
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,603
- Average home value: $468,436
Kansas City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,036
- Average home value: $192,389
Olathe
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,307
- Average home value: $415,949
Topeka
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,005
- Average home value: $191,467
Kentucky
Louisville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,417
- Average home value: $258,778
Lexington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,719
- Average home value: $323,849
Bowling Green
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,511
- Average home value: $282,300
Owensboro
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,086
- Average home value: $204,024
Covington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,166
- Average home value: $209,472
Louisiana
New Orleans
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,474
- Average home value: $233,990
Baton Rouge
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,415
- Average home value: $233,695
Shreveport
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,627
- Average home value: $132,552
Metairie
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,889
- Average home value: $323,401
Lafayette
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,278
- Average home value: $220,288
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Maine
Portland
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,091
- Average home value: $567,247
Lewiston
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,551
- Average home value: $292,255
Bangor
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,495
- Average home value: $283,975
South Portland
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,813
- Average home value: $518,537
Auburn
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,713
- Average home value: $320,484
Maryland
Baltimore
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,145
- Average home value: $184,102
Columbia
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,117
- Average home value: $539,272
Germantown
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,831
- Average home value: $463,149
Waldorf
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,587
- Average home value: $436,807
Silver Spring
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,606
- Average home value: $588,706
Massachusetts
Boston
- Monthly cost of necessities: $6,848
- Average home value: $813,175
Worcester
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,542
- Average home value: $442,710
Springfield
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,684
- Average home value: $293,788
Cambridge
- Monthly cost of necessities: $11,586
- Average home value: $1,697,416
Lowell
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,083
- Average home value: $530,782
Michigan
Detroit
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,709
- Average home value: $74,194
Grand Rapids
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,504
- Average home value: $289,806
Warren
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,246
- Average home value: $204,666
Sterling Heights
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,833
- Average home value: $310,289
Ann Arbor
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,037
- Average home value: $550,459
Minnesota
Minneapolis
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,924
- Average home value: $344,310
Saint Paul
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,635
- Average home value: $293,716
Rochester
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,761
- Average home value: $339,605
Bloomington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,047
- Average home value: $372,395
Duluth
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,376
- Average home value: $283,106
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Mississippi
Jackson
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,323
- Average home value: $76,785
Gulfport
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,009
- Average home value: $196,016
Southaven
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,446
- Average home value: $272,204
Biloxi
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,179
- Average home value: $229,299
Hattiesburg
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,081
- Average home value: $215,590
Missouri
Kansas City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,333
- Average home value: $244,774
St. Louis
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,956
- Average home value: $180,248
Springfield
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,216
- Average home value: $236,627
Columbia
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,789
- Average home value: $320,918
Independence
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,125
- Average home value: $202,505
Montana
Billings
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,067
- Average home value: $395,195
Missoula
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,028
- Average home value: $563,436
Great Falls
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,704
- Average home value: $328,373
Bozeman
- Monthly cost of necessities: $6,299
- Average home value: $793,534
Butte
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,378
- Average home value: $276,169
Nebraska
Omaha
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,622
- Average home value: $287,618
Lincoln
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,659
- Average home value: $284,353
Bellevue
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,653
- Average home value: $289,454
Grand Island
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,436
- Average home value: $252,199
Kearney
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,760
- Average home value: $306,618
Nevada
Las Vegas
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,685
- Average home value: $449,477
Henderson
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,960
- Average home value: $504,868
North Las Vegas
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,472
- Average home value: $410,151
Reno
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,162
- Average home value: $573,122
Sparks
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,909
- Average home value: $523,764
See More: Trump’s $2K Dividend — What Middle-Income Americans Could Expect
New Hampshire
Manchester
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,514
- Average home value: $450,509
Nashua
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,960
- Average home value: $527,027
Concord
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,509
- Average home value: $468,158
Dover
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,078
- Average home value: $560,321
Rochester
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,227
- Average home value: $404,773
New Jersey
Newark
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,157
- Average home value: $492,545
Jersey City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $6,031
- Average home value: $649,533
Paterson
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,263
- Average home value: $530,242
Elizabeth
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,363
- Average home value: $546,837
Toms River
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,608
- Average home value: $458,519
New Mexico
Albuquerque
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,739
- Average home value: $339,798
Las Cruces
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,410
- Average home value: $290,892
Rio Rancho
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,891
- Average home value: $355,321
Santa Fe
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,178
- Average home value: $599,595
Roswell
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,670
- Average home value: $169,323
New York
New York
- Monthly cost of necessities: $7,608
- Average home value: $842,447
Buffalo
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,453
- Average home value: $237,886
Rochester
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,346
- Average home value: $228,398
Yonkers
- Monthly cost of necessities: $6,679
- Average home value: $737,503
Syracuse
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,261
- Average home value: $208,015
North Carolina
Charlotte
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,242
- Average home value: $403,512
Raleigh
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,412
- Average home value: $441,660
Greensboro
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,324
- Average home value: $266,499
Durham
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,175
- Average home value: $401,111
Winston-Salem
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,321
- Average home value: $262,782
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North Dakota
Fargo
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,648
- Average home value: $320,554
Bismarck
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,965
- Average home value: $382,839
Grand Forks
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,498
- Average home value: $290,266
Minot
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,427
- Average home value: $277,166
West Fargo
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,838
- Average home value: $351,951
Ohio
Columbus
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,410
- Average home value: $264,043
Cleveland
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,477
- Average home value: $110,247
Cincinnati
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,321
- Average home value: $248,234
Toledo
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,550
- Average home value: $125,179
Akron
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,555
- Average home value: $133,053
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,146
- Average home value: $204,451
Tulsa
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,167
- Average home value: $216,955
Norman
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,497
- Average home value: $264,242
Broken Arrow
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,567
- Average home value: $283,065
Edmond
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,989
- Average home value: $350,864
Oregon
Portland
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,163
- Average home value: $545,707
Eugene
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,532
- Average home value: $472,026
Salem
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,315
- Average home value: $433,706
Gresham
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,617
- Average home value: $471,995
Hillsboro
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,025
- Average home value: $528,865
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,568
- Average home value: $222,249
Pittsburgh
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,346
- Average home value: $232,841
Allentown
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,803
- Average home value: $306,940
Reading
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,549
- Average home value: $258,363
Erie
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,932
- Average home value: $192,809
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Rhode Island
Providence
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,483
- Average home value: $423,314
Warwick
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,366
- Average home value: $409,066
Cranston
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,499
- Average home value: $430,655
Pawtucket
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,312
- Average home value: $393,436
East Providence
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,504
- Average home value: $432,845
South Carolina
Charleston
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,333
- Average home value: $597,623
Columbia
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,267
- Average home value: $228,290
North Carleston
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,685
- Average home value: $310,463
Mount Pleasant
- Monthly cost of necessities: $7,102
- Average home value: $914,866
Rock Hill
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,786
- Average home value: $325,902
South Dakota
Sioux Falls
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,732
- Average home value: $330,456
Rapid City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,079
- Average home value: $355,234
Aberdeen
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,091
- Average home value: $233,489
Brookings
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,560
- Average home value: $308,084
Watertown
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,530
- Average home value: $300,252
Tennessee
Nashville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,527
- Average home value: $446,600
Memphis
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,738
- Average home value: $141,974
Knoxville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,931
- Average home value: $366,172
Chattanooga
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,655
- Average home value: $314,885
Clarksville
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,699
- Average home value: $317,561
Texas
Houston
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,591
- Average home value: $267,905
San Antonio
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,340
- Average home value: $248,888
Dallas
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,891
- Average home value: $317,451
Austin
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,995
- Average home value: $523,951
Fort Worth
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,747
- Average home value: $294,318
Also Find: Here’s the Minimum Net Worth To Be Considered Upper Class in Your 50s
Utah
Salt Lake City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,280
- Average home value: $595,505
West Valley City
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,609
- Average home value: $470,310
West Jordan
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,124
- Average home value: $559,621
Provo
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,770
- Average home value: $512,763
Saint George
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,879
- Average home value: $535,912
Vermont
Burlington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,228
- Average home value: $541,374
South Burlington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,360
- Average home value: $569,761
Rutland
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,587
- Average home value: $270,492
Essex
- Monthly cost of necessities: $5,097
- Average home value: $509,480
Bennington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,418
- Average home value: $244,283
Virginia
Virginia Beach
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,438
- Average home value: $423,527
Chesapeake
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,433
- Average home value: $422,502
Arlington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $8,323
- Average home value: $1,090,187
Norfolk
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,656
- Average home value: $305,713
Richmond
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,975
- Average home value: $361,474
Washington
Seattle
- Monthly cost of necessities: $7,230
- Average home value: $915,171
Spokane
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,028
- Average home value: $392,455
Tacoma
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,699
- Average home value: $487,089
Vancouver
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,881
- Average home value: $507,119
Bellevue
- Monthly cost of necessities: $11,456
- Average home value: $1,682,661
Also Read: Here’s the Minimum Net Worth To Be Considered Middle Class in Your 60s
West Virginia
Charleston
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,005
- Average home value: $162,120
Huntington
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,816
- Average home value: $137,143
Morgantown
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,536
- Average home value: $275,076
Parkersburg
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,739
- Average home value: $145,184
Wheeling
- Monthly cost of necessities: $2,742
- Average home value: $144,527
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,215
- Average home value: $217,306
Madison
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,483
- Average home value: $451,512
Green Bay
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,352
- Average home value: $270,833
Kenosha
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,444
- Average home value: $265,884
Racine
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,086
- Average home value: $202,841
Wyoming
Cheyenne
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,196
- Average home value: $379,876
Casper
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,858
- Average home value: $306,198
Gillette
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,960
- Average home value: $333,698
Laramie
- Monthly cost of necessities: $4,169
- Average home value: $374,074
Rock Springs
- Monthly cost of necessities: $3,681
- Average home value: $289,646
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the five largest cities by population in each state. Using the US Census 2023 5-year American Community Survey, the total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and median household income were all sourced and identified. For each city the cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and using the national average expenditure costs for all households, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for all consumer units, the average expenditure cost can be calculated for each city. The average single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. Assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost can be calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and expenditure cost, the total cost of living for necessities can be calculated. Using the 50/30/20 finance rule that states that needs should not exceed 50% of household income, the total cost of living for necessities was doubled to find the comfortable cost of living for each place. The states were sorted alphabetically and the cities in each state were sorted to show the largest population first. The data is up to date as of Nov. 17, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s the Cost of Living in the 5 Biggest Cities in Every State
