The cost of living is a key factor when businesses decide where to set up shop. That’s why Cost of Living is one of the categories CNBC measured astheyranked America’s Top States for Business. The lower the cost of living, the higher the score.
Here are America’s least expensive states to live in as ranked by CNBC, as well as a sampling of the prices you’ll pay for some basics in the most expensive area of the state. (Average price data based on Council for Community and Economic Research C2ER Cost of Living Index, Q1 2013.) viaCNBC
1. OKLAHOMA
Average Home Price (Ponca City Metro): $265,154
Half Gallon of Milk: $2.33
T-Bone Steak: $10.22
Monthly Energy Bill: $149.78
Doctor Visit: $78.33
2013 Cost of Living Rank: Cheapest
2013 Cost of Living Score 50 (out of 50)
2012 Cost of Living Rank: Cheapest
2. TENNESSEE
Average Home Price (Jackson-Madison County Metro): $211,238
Half Gallon of Milk: $2.64
T-Bone Steak: $8.66
Monthly Energy Bill: $145.98
Doctor Visit: $95.00
2013 Cost of Living Rank: 2nd Cheapest
2013 Cost of Living Score: 49 (out of 50)
2012 Cost of Living Rank: 2nd Cheapest
3. IDAHO (*TIE)
Average Home Price (Boise Metro): $256,124
Half Gallon of Milk: $1.74
T-Bone Steak: $9.48
Monthly Energy Bill: $146.59
Doctor Visit: $118.33
2013 Cost of Living Rank: 3rd Cheapest
2013 Cost of Living Score: 48 (out of 50)
2012 Cost of Living Rank: 9th Cheapest
3. KENTUCKY (*TIE)
Average Home Price (Louisville Metro): $232,139
Half Gallon of Milk: $1.96
T-Bone Steak: $8.99
Monthly Energy Bill: $123.43
Doctor Visit: $86.10
2013 Cost of Living Rank: 3rd Cheapest
2013 Cost of Living Score: 48 (out of 50)
2012 Cost of Living Rank: 4th Cheapest
5. NEBRASKA
Average Home Price (Hastings Metro): $263,000
Half Gallon of Milk: $1.98
T-Bone Steak: $10.99
Monthly Energy Bill: $127.26
Doctor Visit: $71.33
2013 Cost of Living Rank: 5th Cheapest
2013 Cost of Living Score: 46 (out of 50)
2012 Cost of Living Rank: 11th Cheapest
To See the Full Slideshow of the Top 10 Cheapest States in America, Click Here.