California’s cost of living crisis laid bare in new national ranking — as state wins crown of shame

A WalletHub ranking based on local price data found that California has the lowest purchasing power in the United States. The result highlights how high everyday costs can reduce what residents get from their income, especially compared with more affordable states.

In California, $100 buys goods and services worth about $90 at the national benchmark, while in Arkansas and Mississippi it is worth $115. Oklahoma and Iowa came next at $114, and Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Washington also ranked near the bottom. Nevada matched the benchmark at $100; the analysis drew on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.