Want to live on the coast? Be prepared to pay more in monthly bills.
Cork Gaines
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- Living in a coastal state could result in higher monthly bills.
- That's according to Doxo's latest cost of bills index.
The cost of living can vary among states, and the most expensive areas often have ocean coastlines.
Hawai'i, California, and Massachusetts are the most expensive states based on online bill-paying service Doxo's cost of bills index. The ranking, released on June 12, looks at how much the average household spends each month on the 10 most common bills, including utilities, cell phone, health insurance, and either rent or mortgage, and is based on Doxo's national bill payment statistics. Those 10 costs represent more than 75% of monthly household expenses, per Doxo.
Doxo's cost of bill index compares each state — along with cities and counties — to the national average. Hawai'i came in as the most expensive state, with the average household spending $3,091 monthly on the 10 essential bills, 45% above the US average. Meanwhile, West Virginia is the cheapest state to live in, with residents spending $1,596 monthly on bills, 25% below average.
According to Doxo's data, with additional information from the US Census Bureau, the average household now spends $2,126 monthly on the top 10 bills, up 4% from a year ago and 19% since 2019. Meanwhile, median US household income was up just 0.2% in the past year and 14% since 2019.
To be sure, many states with high living costs also have higher income levels for their residents. Doxo's index was also adjusted for the average income in each state.
Here are the 10 states with the most expensive essential monthly bills and the 10 with the cheapest.
10. New Hampshire
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,482
Difference from US average: +17%
Average income: $92,699
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -6%
9. Colorado
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,553
Difference from US average: +20%
Average income: $91,038
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -1%
8. Connecticut
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,569
Difference from US average: +21%
Average income: $98,025
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -8%
7. New York
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,627
Difference from US average: +24%
Average income: $88,943
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +4%
6. Washington
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,644
Difference from US average: +24%
Average income: $95,033
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -2%
5. Maryland
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,676
Difference from US average: +26%
Average income: $101,920
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -8%
4. New Jersey
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,802
Difference from US average: +32%
Average income: $104,132
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -5%
3. Massachusetts
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $2,817
Difference from US average: +33%
Average income: $102,709
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -4%
2. California
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $3,010
Difference from US average: +42%
Average income: $99,201
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +7%
1. Hawai'i
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $3,091
Difference from US average: +45%
Average income: $95,409
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +14%
41. Kansas
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,864
Difference from US average: -12%
Average income: $73,161
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -10%
42. South Dakota
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,854
Difference from US average: -13%
Average income: $69,281
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -6%
43. Missouri
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,835
Difference from US average: -14%
Average income: $68,450
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -6%
44. Alabama
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,831
Difference from US average: -14%
Average income: $61,438
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +5%
45. Indiana
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,786
Difference from US average: -16%
Average income: $68,897
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: -9%
46. Oklahoma
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,786
Difference from US average: -16%
Average income: $63,029
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: 0%
47. Kentucky
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,783
Difference from US average: -16%
Average income: $61,507
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +2%
48. Arkansas
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,762
Difference from US average: -17%
Average income: $57,123
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +8%
49. Mississippi
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,719
Difference from US average: -19%
Average income: $53,697
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +13%
50. West Virginia
Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $1,596
Difference from US average: -25%
Average income: $54,931
Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +2%
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