10 U.S. States With Faster Cost of Living Growth Than Wage Growth

Описание: You saw the title. Yes—your six-figure paycheck can still lose. Today, we’re counting down 10 glossy, “dream life” states where the price of everything races ahead of your raise. Rent, groceries, insurance—up. Your buying power—stuck in 2015.
Here’s the thing: these are the prestige addresses your boss flexes on LinkedIn. But there’s a catch. By the end, you’ll know which ones quietly turn a promotion into a lifestyle downgrade—and the one simple filter I use to spot a financial trap before I move. You’re not ready for number three.
Before we move on, please take a moment to subscribe to the channel and like the video.
Number 1 California
You land the dream role in LA or SF. Six figures hits your account. Feels like a flex until payday math shows up.

But here's the catch: rent swallows close to half your net in the big metros, long before Wi‑Fi or parking. State taxes, pricier car insurance, and childcare stack like subscription fees you can’t cancel. Since 2015, wages barely jogged while West Coast CPI and grocery, utility, and gas taxes sprinted. Tech pay flattened; your bill list didn’t.

Commutes act like a stealth tax—miles, tolls, and time. Wildfire insurance? Non‑renewals push homeowners onto costly FAIR plans. Net after tax and rent on $150k buys less than a decade ago. California turns promotions into lifestyle maintenance.

So if the crown jewel squeezes this hard, what happens on an island where everything ships in?
Number 2 Hawaii
You move for the sun, the spam musubi, the ocean feed. The salary looks solid. Then the bills surf in.

But here's the catch: imports tax everything you eat and build. Milk and eggs carry a shipping markup. Even Costco feels bougie. Electricity? Beach‑front expensive. You triple‑check the utility bill, then check it again. Rental scarcity after short‑term rental crackdowns nudges long‑term rents up, and vacancy rates stay tight.

Energy costs rank near the top nationwide, and Honolulu rents outpace wage growth. Add the air travel “family tax” every time you fly to the mainland. After housing and utilities, $120k spends like $70k on the mainland. The island tax is real. If paradise penalizes you, Wall Street has a different fee.
#beststatestoliveinUSA
#costoflivingUSA
#staterankings2025
#cheapestplacestoliveintheUS
#bestcitiestoretireinUSA
#StateTruth