These Are The Most (And Least) Expensive States To Move To in 2023

It’s no secret that affording rent in the United States is no small task — from 2021 to 2022 alone, the average price of American rent rose a whopping 14.07 percent. But in the midst of all this, there’s no denying that some states are kinder to your wallet than others. If you’re considering a move, knowing which states are the most and least affordable for newcomers is a plus. That’s why LivingCozy.com compiled a study of the most and least expensive states to move to in 2023, drawing on average house prices and growth in house price value per state.

The least expensive U.S. state to move to is West Virginia, with an average house price of $123,200, followed closely behind by Mississippi (with an average house price of $125,500) and Arkansas (with an average house price of $133,600) in second and third place, respectively. Given that the average U.S. home price was $348,079 in 2022, making your home in any of these states will help your dollar stretch much further than in many other spots in the country.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 least expensive states to move to in 2023:

1. West Virginia (average house price: $123,200)
2. Mississippi (average house price: $125,500)
3. Arkansas (average house price: $133,600)
4. Oklahoma (average house price: $142,400)
5. Kentucky (average house prices: $147,100)
6. Indiana (average house price: $148,900)
7. Alabama (average house price: $149,600)
8. Ohio (average house price: $151,400)
9. Iowa (average house price: $153,900)
10. Kansas (average house price: $157,600)

Unfortunately, home ownership is a far less achievable goal in other states. Conversely, Hawaii tops the list of the most expensive states with an average house price of $636,400. As the only state not geographically based in North America, it’s unsurprising that the cost of moving is significantly higher, from flights to shipping costs.

Unsurprisingly, living in the nation’s capital also doesn’t come cheap. The average house price in the District of Columbia is $618,100, about $370,000 higher than the national average. California rounds out the top three, with an average house price of $538,500.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 most expensive states to move to in 2023:

1. Hawaii (average house price: $636,400)
2. District of Columbia (average house price: $618,100)
3. California (average house price: $538,500)
4. Massachusetts (average house price: $398,800)
5. Colorado (average house price: $369,900)
6. Washington (average house price: $366,800)
7. New Jersey (average house price: $343,500)
8. Oregon (average house price: $336,700)
9. Maryland (average house price: $325,400)
10. New York (average house price: $325,000)

You can check out the full report on LivingCozy.com.