news

See how far $1,000 goes in every state — you lose $100 of spending power in 3 places

See how far $1,000 goes in every state—you lose $100 of spending power in 3 places
Erik Isakson | Tetra Images | Getty Images

Just as each state in the U.S. has its own unique identity and culture, they also vary by cost of living.

It's expensive to live in Hawaii, for example, because it's relatively small, which means housing supply is limited. Plus, since it's a group of islands, many everyday items have to be imported from somewhere else, and retailers have limited competition motivating them to lower prices. 

As a result, $1,000 won't get you very far in Hawaii; it can only buy you about $892 worth of goods and services in the Aloha State, according to a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis comparison of prices nationwide. 

DON'T MISS: How to be more successful with your money

It's even worse in California and Washington, D.C., BEA finds, where $1,000 is only worth around $875 and $872, respectively. One reason for that is because these places have notoriously high costs for many necessities, including rent and groceries.

Here's the relative value of $1,000 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:

The analysis doesn't take into account factors like income tax, which could further decrease the spending power of every dollar you earn in some states.

While BEA's price parity analysis covers all consumable goods, it reports that higher regional prices typically correspond with higher local rents.

That helps explains why your purchasing power depletes in states like Hawaii and California. As of March 2024, the average rents in Hawaii and California both exceeded $2,500 a month, according to RentCafe. Average rent prices were only higher in two states: New York and Massachusetts.

Residents of Hawaii also have to grapple with high grocery costs. Households there spend an average of $334 a week on food at home, the most of any state, according to a 2023 Census Bureau Household Pulse survey.

Similarly, Alaskan residents spend an average of $329 a week on groceries, and those in California shell out $298, the Bureau finds.

Want to be more successful and confident with your money? Take CNBC Make It's new online course. Our expert instructors will help you master your money and discover practical strategies to boost your savings, reduce debt and grow your wealth — in a way that works best for you. Enroll in "Achieve Financial Wellness: Be Happier, Wealthier & More Financially Secure" to start your journey to financial freedom today! Get a 30% discount with the coupon code EARLYBIRD until Sept. 2, 2024.

Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

Copyright CNBC
Contact Us