About CostByState

CostByState is a personal-finance tool site that answers a simple question for every US state: what does life actually cost here, and how much do you need to earn for it? We turn public data into calculators you can adjust to your own situation — paycheck, cost of living, and the salary you need — with every number cited and updated monthly.

Why we built it

Most "cost of living" answers online are either a single index number or a wall of unsourced figures. We wanted something better: interactive tools that use your real inputs, run on transparent formulas, and show exactly where each number comes from and when it was last updated. Because this is money — a Your-Money-or-Your-Life topic — we put correctness and citation ahead of shipping speed.

How we keep it trustworthy

• Every figure is sourced from official data and shows its "as of" date.
• Our tax engine is unit-tested against published IRS and state schedules.
• Data updates flow through a monthly, human-reviewed process before publishing.
• We publish our full methodology and editorial policy openly.

Who's behind it

Michael Dang, Founder. Michael Dang founded CostByState to turn public financial data into clear, cited tools that answer real money questions for every US state.

A note on advice

CostByState provides information for educational purposes only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify figures with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

Have a correction or a question? Get in touch.