Want to live on the coast? Be prepared to pay more in monthly bills.

June 18, 2024

Want to live on the coast? Be prepared to pay more in monthly bills.


Skyline of a city next to the ocean.



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No state is more expensive than Hawai’i when it comes to monthly bills.

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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.
  • Hawai’i, California, and Massachusetts lead the ranking.
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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.

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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.

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10. New Hampshire


Nashua, New Hampshire.

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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%

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9. Colorado


Boulder, Colorado.

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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%

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8. Connecticut


Stamford, Connecticut.

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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%

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7. New York


Huntington, Long Island, New York.

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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%

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6. Washington


Seattle.

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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%

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5. Maryland


Baltimore.

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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%

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4. New Jersey


Cape May, New Jersey.

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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%

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3. Massachusetts


Downtown Boston.

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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%

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2. California


Los Angeles.

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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%

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1. Hawai’i


Honolulu.

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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%

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The 10 states with the cheapest monthly bills

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41. Kansas


Witchita, Kansas

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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%

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42. South Dakota


Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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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%

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43. Missouri


St Louis, Missouri.

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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%

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44. Alabama


Mobile, Alabama.

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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%

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45. Indiana


Indianapolis.

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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%

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46. Oklahoma


Tulsa, Oklahoma

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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%

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47. Kentucky


Rural Kentucky.

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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%

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48. Arkansas


Little Rock, Arkansas.

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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%

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49. Mississippi


Jackson, Mississippi.

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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%

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50. West Virginia


Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

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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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