Cost of Living & Taxes by State
One interactive map, sixteen cost layers. Switch between taxes and everyday costs, hover any state for the number, and click to open that state’s calculator. Pick your state to see exactly where it ranks.
First, all 3,142 counties
State averages hide huge local variation. Switch between home value, property tax, and income — tap any county for its state breakdown.
Loading 3,142 counties…
Or compare all 50 states
| # | State | Value |
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Check it outTaxes are only half the story
People compare states on income tax and stop there — but a no-income-tax state can quietly claw it back through higher property tax, sales tax, electricity, or housing. This map puts the big recurring costs side by side so you can see the whole picture. Toggle income, property, and sales tax — including property tax in real dollars on the median home, and sales tax with local add-ons — to compare the tax burden, then switch to cost of living, home price, rent, home and auto insurance, electricity, and gas to see how daily life actually adds up. Greener states are cheaper for that layer; redder states are more expensive.
How it’s built & sources
Each layer is colored into six equal-count bands from lowest (green) to highest (red). Click a state on the map or in the list to open the matching calculator. Income tax is computed live from our 2026 state-bracket engine for a single filer at $75,000; your effective rate will differ.
- Property tax (% and $): NumberBench dataset (Tax Foundation / Census), 2026; the dollar layer multiplies the effective rate by each state’s median home value.
- Sales tax: the state layer is the base rate; the combined layer adds average local tax (Tax Foundation via World Population Review), 2026.
- Income tax: NumberBench 2026 bracket engine, effective rate on $75k single.
- Cost of living: MERIC Cost of Living Index, 2025 (US average = 100).
- Home price & rent: World Population Review (Redfin/Zillow & RentCafe), 2026.
- Home insurance: Insurance.com average annual premium, $300k dwelling, March 2026.
- Auto insurance: ValuePenguin average annual full-coverage premium, June 2026.
- Electricity: Choose Energy / EIA average residential rate, March 2026.
- Gas: AAA regular-unleaded daily average, June 29, 2026.
Figures are estimates for general comparison, not advice. Prices move; verify current numbers before any decision.
Frequently asked questions
How is the income-tax layer calculated?
It applies each state's 2026 brackets and standard deduction (from our paycheck engine) to a single filer earning $75,000, then shows the effective state income-tax rate. Your own rate depends on income, filing status, and deductions.
Why is sales tax lower than what I pay?
The sales-tax layer shows each state's base rate. Many cities and counties add local sales tax on top, so the combined rate you pay at checkout is often higher.
Why do a few states show “n/a” on some layers?
A couple of source tables don't publish a current figure for every state (for example, average apartment rent is missing for six states, and the residential-electricity table omits DC). We show “n/a” rather than guess.
How current is the data?
Each layer shows its source and date under the map. Taxes use 2026 rates; cost-of-living is 2025 (MERIC); home price and rent are 2026; electricity is March 2026; gas is the AAA daily average for June 29, 2026.
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