America’s 10 Most Expensive States for 2026
High cost of living states rank the places hit hardest by inflation and housing See how rent, insurance, and home prices reshape affordability across the U.S.
CNBC’s 2026 Top States for Business study ranks the states with the highest cost of living, highlighting how inflation, housing, and insurance costs are affecting residents in different parts of the country.
The list includes Illinois, New York, Washington, Connecticut, Oregon, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Florida, Colorado, and California. The ranking uses measures such as consumer prices, rent, home prices, and the cost of insuring a medianpriced home.
California tops the list as the most expensive state in 2026, with high housing costs and rising insurance premiums driving its low affordability score. Other states near the top face similar pressure from expensive rents, home prices, and basic goods, with Hawaii and New York standing out for especially high housing expenses.