What are the cheapest states to live in? In MERIC’s second-quarter 2026 cost-of-living table, Oklahoma ranks lowest, followed by Alabama, Iowa, West Virginia and Kansas. The figures are comparative index points—not monthly budgets or promised dollar savings—and a state average may not reflect the city or household you have in mind.
Which states have the lowest cost of living?
MERIC’s Q2 2026 table uses 100.0 as the U.S. baseline. The five lowest state composite scores are:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Cost of Living (TCG Edition) | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Cost of Living: A Working Autobiography | $12.06 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Cost of Living: Essays | $17.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Cost of Living: Early and Uncollected Stories (New York Review Books Classics) | $10.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Rank | State | Overall index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 83.0 |
| 2 | Alabama | 86.0 |
| 3 | Iowa | 86.1 |
| 4 | West Virginia | 87.0 |
| 5 | Kansas | 87.1 |
These are MERIC’s published index values for the second quarter of 2026. An index score is a relative comparison with the U.S. baseline, not a currency amount: 83.0 does not mean that a household will spend 83% of a particular budget or save a fixed amount. The table supports comparing relative cost levels, not calculating an individual’s moving budget.
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, Q2 2026.
What the cost-of-living index measures
MERIC says it derives a state index by averaging indices from participating cities and metropolitan areas within that state. Participation in the C2ER survey is voluntary, and price collection follows C2ER guidelines intended to promote uniformity. The result is an aggregate of participating places, not a guarantee of costs in every community or for every household.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
The composite is accompanied by six category indices: groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health and miscellaneous. The category scores can diverge from the overall figure. For example, Oklahoma’s Q2 2026 overall index is 83.0, while its housing index is 65.1 and its utilities index is 97.6. That difference is a reason to inspect the categories most relevant to your own spending rather than relying on the overall rank alone.
Why the state rank may not fit your destination
Costs vary among places within a state. MERIC’s Q2 2026 Missouri metro examples show Joplin MO-KS Metro at 83.8 overall and Springfield MO Metro at 91.6. Those examples illustrate local variation; they are not a nationwide city ranking.
Rank #2
Before using a state score to plan a move, compare the actual destination city or metro where MERIC reports one, and consider the cost categories that dominate your budget. A statewide composite can be a useful first screen, but it cannot tell you what a specific household will pay.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this ranking does not tell you
A low cost-of-living index does not establish whether a state is a good financial or personal fit. This table does not measure your wages, job prospects, taxes, safety, climate or quality of life. Use the ranking as one cost comparison, then evaluate those separate factors and your own likely expenses before deciding where to live.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
