The Bureau of Economic Analysis — the federal agency that tracks prices nationwide — publishes official "regional price parities" measuring how expensive each state really is. Run $100,000 through their numbers and the gap is staggering: your six-figure salary buys anywhere from $90,334 to $115,075 depending on where you live.
That's a $25,000 swing for the exact same paycheck.
What $100,000 Actually Buys, State by State
Using the BEA's regional price parity data (all items index, 2024 release; [verify] for states marked 2022):
| Rank | State | What $100K buys you | Price level vs. U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas | $115,075 | 86.9 (2024) |
| 2 | Mississippi | $114,943 | 87.0 (2024) |
| 3 | Iowa | $113,895 | 87.8 (2024) |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $113,895 | 87.8 (2024) |
| 5 | South Dakota | $113,636 | 88.0 (2022) |
| 6 | North Dakota | $112,740 | 88.7 (2022) |
| 7 | West Virginia | $112,108 | 89.2 (2022) |
| 8 | New Mexico | $109,890 | 91.0 (2022) |
| 9 | Ohio | $109,290 | 91.5 (2022) |
| 10 | Tennessee | $108,932 | 91.8 (2022) |
| 11 | Wyoming | $108,814 | 91.9 (2022) |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $108,342 | 92.3 (2022) |
| 13 | South Carolina | $106,838 | 93.6 (2022) |
| 14 | North Carolina | $106,157 | 94.2 (2022) |
| 15 | Utah | $105,820 | 94.5 (2022) |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $103,950 | 96.2 (2022) |
| 17 | Texas | $102,564 | 97.5 (2022) |
| 18 | Vermont | $98,912 | 101.1 (2022) |
| 19 | Virginia | $97,943 | 102.1 (2022) |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $95,511 | 104.7 (2022) |
| 21 | Oregon | $93,808 | 106.6 (2022) |
| 22 | New York | $92,937 | 107.6 (2022) |
| 23 | New Jersey | $91,912 | 108.8 (2024) |
| 24 | Washington | $91,075 | 109.8 (2022) |
| 25 | Hawaii | $90,909 | 110.0 (2024) |
| 26 | California | $90,334 | 110.7 (2024) |
Method: $100,000 ÷ (RPP/100). States without listed values are omitted, not zero — their rankings fall between neighbors.
The Biggest Surprise: It's the Housing, Stupid
The BEA data reveals what really drives the gap: rent. California's price level for housing rents is 154.3 — meaning rents run 54% above the national average. West Virginia's is 54.2 — nearly half the national average.
That's a nearly 3-to-1 spread on the single biggest item in most budgets.
This is why a "raise" to move from Columbus to San Francisco can be a pay cut in disguise. A $100K salary in Ohio buys what about $121,000 would need to buy in California. If your new job offers $115K, you're going backward.
The $100K Sweet Spot Strategy
Notice something about the top of the list? Arkansas, Mississippi, Iowa, Oklahoma, the Dakotas. These aren't glamour states — they're purchasing-power states.
A remote worker earning a coastal salary while living in Little Rock or Des Moines gets the best of both worlds: national-pay income at local prices. This arbitrage is one of the biggest legitimate wealth hacks available to ordinary workers.
The Tax Layer Nobody Adds In
The BEA data covers prices — it doesn't include state income tax, which makes the gap even wider. Several states levy no wage income tax at all ([verify]: typically Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Texas, Washington, Wyoming). A $100K earner in Texas keeps roughly $5,000–$8,000 more per year than the same earner in a high-tax state ([verify] — varies by bracket and filing status).
Stack tax savings on top of price savings and the real gap between the cheapest and priciest states can exceed $30,000 a year — the equivalent of a 30% raise you never had to negotiate.
How to Use This Table
Negotiating a job offer in a new state? Multiply your current salary by the ratio of the two price levels. Moving from Texas (97.5) to Washington (109.8)? You need $100K × (109.8/97.5) ≈ $112,600 just to break even.
Thinking about remote work? Keep the job, move the address. It's the single fastest "raise" most people can get.
Considering a move for retirement? Your savings stretch 20–25% further in the top states — meaning you can retire with a meaningfully smaller number.
FAQ
What is a regional price parity?
The BEA's regional price parity (RPP) is a price index expressed as a percentage of the national average price level (100). A state at 110 is 10% more expensive than average; at 90, 10% cheaper.
Why does housing dominate the rankings?
Housing is the largest household expense, and rent differences between states dwarf differences in groceries, goods, and most services. The BEA publishes rents as a separate sub-index for exactly this reason.
Does this account for quality of life?
No. The table measures purchasing power only — not weather, culture, commute times, or schools. A cheaper state isn't automatically a better one; it just makes your dollar go further.
How current is this data?
The BEA released 2024 RPP data in February 2026. States marked 2022 use the previous release; their relative positions change little year to year.
Is moving to a cheap state always worth it?
Only if your income survives the move. Local wages in low-cost states tend to be lower too. The math works best for remote workers, retirees, and people with portable income.
Tool tie-in: A "salary relocator" tool — enter current salary + state, target state → the equivalent salary needed — would make this table interactive.