Hawaii is the most expensive state when it comes to living expenses, a new study has found.
A report from the online-bill-payment service Doxo said the average US household spends roughly $2,046 a month on bills such as rent, phone payments, and medical insurance. This amounts to about 35% of the annual US household average income of $70,784.
Hawaii residents, however, pay about 50% more than this national average — forking out an average of $3,070 for their monthly expenses. The data shows that Hawaii residents are spending more on things such as rent, even compared to well-known pricey areas such as New York City. Utilities also cost more in Hawaii, an average of $633, while residents in New York pay an average of $384 per month, for comparison.
California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts also ranked high for their costs of living, while New York came in at seventh place, the report said. West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky were listed as some of the most affordable.
The company focused on 10 of the most common expenses to create the list. They analyzed the cost of mortgages, rent prices, utilities, auto loans, auto insurance, cable and internet, mobile phones, health insurance, alarm and security, and life insurance across states.
Here are the top 10 most expensive US states based on monthly expenses:
1. Hawaii
Monthly bill expenses per household: $3,070
2. California
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,838
3. New Jersey
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,727
4. Massachusetts
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,656
5. Maryland
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,569
6. Connecticut
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,504
7. New York
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,495
8. Washington
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,468
9. Colorado
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,413
10. Alaska
Monthly bill expenses per household: $2,335
