Inflation – as measured by the consumer price index – recently reached its highest level in decades, topping out at 9.1% in June 2022. Though inflation has cooled slightly in the months since, consumer prices remained 7.7% higher in October 2022 than they were a year earlier, more than three times the Federal Reserve’s target 2% annual inflation rate.
Historic levels of inflation are having a meaningful impact on household finances. According to a report from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, the average American household spent $717 more in July 2022 than in January 2021, a 13.3% increase, due to the rising cost of living alone. In some states, inflation has taken an even bigger toll on consumers’ pocketbooks. (Here is what’s getting more expensive at stores in America.)
Using data from the JEC, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states hit hardest by inflation. We ranked all 50 states by the dollar increase in average monthly household expenses from January 2021 to July 2022. The JEC’s State Inflation Tracker aims to reflect how much more the average household must pay today to maintain the same standard of living as in January 2021, a month that predates inflationary pressures that began early that year.
Among the 50 states, inflation has driven up monthly expenses for the average household by anywhere from $556 to over $900 – or from 10.7% to 15.4%.
A recent survey from the U.S. Census Bureau found that rising prices are also taking a psychological toll. In every state, more than one-third of adults find inflation to be “very stressful,” and in 11 states over half of all adults do.
In each of those 11 states, the state inflation rate, as measured by the increase in monthly household expenses, between January 2021 and July 2022 exceeds the 13.3% national average increase. Residents of these states are also less likely to be equipped to absorb rising costs, as in each one, median household income is below the $69,717 national median, while the poverty rate is higher than the 12.8% national rate. (Here is a look at the states where Americans make the least money.)
Click here to see states where families are spending hundreds more a month due to inflation.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
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50. Maine
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$556 (+10.7%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 46.6% – 24th highest (465,937 total)
> 2021 median household income: $64,767 – 19th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.5% – 21st lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
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49. West Virginia
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$569 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 56.4% – 2nd highest (710,536 total)
> 2021 median household income: $51,248 – 2nd lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 16.8% – 4th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
48. Arkansas
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$570 (+14.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 57.9% – the highest (1,158,570 total)
> 2021 median household income: $52,528 – 4th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 16.3% – 6th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
47. Mississippi
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$571 (+13.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 54.5% – 5th highest (1,023,063 total)
> 2021 median household income: $48,716 – the lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 19.4% – 2nd highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
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46. Pennsylvania
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$585 (+11.2%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 44.9% – 23rd lowest (3,899,782 total)
> 2021 median household income: $68,957 – 21st highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.1% – 25th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
45. Vermont
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$586 (+10.7%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 34.0% – the lowest (157,408 total)
> 2021 median household income: $72,431 – 16th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.3% – 9th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.1%
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44. Rhode Island
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$592 (+10.7%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 43.4% – 19th lowest (319,524 total)
> 2021 median household income: $74,008 – 15th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.4% – 20th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
43. Oklahoma
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$593 (+14.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 55.3% – 3rd highest (1,478,183 total)
> 2021 median household income: $55,826 – 8th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 15.6% – 8th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
42. Oregon
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$604 (+12.5%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 43.9% – 20th lowest (1,347,402 total)
> 2021 median household income: $71,562 – 18th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.2% – 23rd highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
41. Kentucky
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$608 (+13.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 53.5% – 6th highest (1,592,580 total)
> 2021 median household income: $55,573 – 7th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 16.5% – 5th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
40. Alabama
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$613 (+13.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 50.2% – 10th highest (1,643,990 total)
> 2021 median household income: $53,913 – 5th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 16.1% – 7th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
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39. South Carolina
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$633 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 44.7% – 21st lowest (1,653,308 total)
> 2021 median household income: $59,318 – 9th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 14.6% – 9th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
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38. Louisiana
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$641 (+14.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 52.4% – 8th highest (1,577,812 total)
> 2021 median household income: $52,087 – 3rd lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 19.6% – the highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
37. Tennessee
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$643 (+13.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 54.8% – 4th highest (2,614,667 total)
> 2021 median household income: $59,695 – 10th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 13.6% – 14th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
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36. North Carolina
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$651 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 42.0% – 13th lowest (3,070,080 total)
> 2021 median household income: $61,972 – 12th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 13.4% – 15th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images
35. Iowa
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$674 (+13.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 41.7% – 11th lowest (888,635 total)
> 2021 median household income: $65,600 – 21st lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.1% – 17th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
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34. Ohio
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$677 (+14.1%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 45.8% – 24th lowest (3,511,038 total)
> 2021 median household income: $62,262 – 13th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 13.4% – 16th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
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33. Washington
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$677 (+12.5%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 39.7% – 7th lowest (2,170,256 total)
> 2021 median household income: $84,247 – 7th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 9.9% – 5th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
32. New York
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$683 (+11.2%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 48.1% – 18th highest (6,198,854 total)
> 2021 median household income: $74,314 – 14th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 13.9% – 13th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
31. New Hampshire
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$686 (+10.7%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 47.1% – 22nd highest (467,052 total)
> 2021 median household income: $88,465 – 4th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 7.2% – the lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
30. Indiana
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$686 (+14.1%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 49.4% – 15th highest (2,223,319 total)
> 2021 median household income: $62,743 – 14th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.2% – 24th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
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29. Georgia
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$688 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 49.4% – 14th highest (3,556,846 total)
> 2021 median household income: $66,559 – 25th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 14.0% – 12th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ via Getty Images
28. Wisconsin
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$689 (+14.1%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 37.4% – 5th lowest (1,531,040 total)
> 2021 median household income: $67,125 – 22nd highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.8% – 14th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
27. Connecticut
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$689 (+10.7%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 40.9% – 9th lowest (1,000,928 total)
> 2021 median household income: $83,771 – 8th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.1% – 6th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
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26. New Jersey
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$695 (+11.2%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 46.5% – 25th lowest (2,877,642 total)
> 2021 median household income: $89,296 – 3rd highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.2% – 8th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
25. Michigan
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$710 (+14.1%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 43.1% – 17th lowest (2,930,577 total)
> 2021 median household income: $63,498 – 17th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 13.1% – 18th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
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24. New Mexico
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$720 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 49.1% – 16th highest (705,020 total)
> 2021 median household income: $53,992 – 6th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 18.4% – 3rd highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
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23. Massachusetts
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$726 (+10.7%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 42.6% – 14th lowest (1,913,695 total)
> 2021 median household income: $89,645 – 2nd highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.4% – 11th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
22. Kansas
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$730 (+13.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 46.8% – 23rd highest (913,767 total)
> 2021 median household income: $64,124 – 18th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.7% – 23rd lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
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21. Missouri
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$737 (+13.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 42.8% – 16th lowest (1,771,600 total)
> 2021 median household income: $61,847 – 11th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.7% – 20th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.4%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
20. Virginia
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$741 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 47.5% – 20th highest (2,630,151 total)
> 2021 median household income: $80,963 – 10th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.2% – 7th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
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19. Texas
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$747 (+14.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 50.1% – 11th highest (9,478,390 total)
> 2021 median household income: $66,963 – 23rd highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 14.2% – 10th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
18. Nebraska
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$754 (+13.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 44.8% – 22nd lowest (564,609 total)
> 2021 median household income: $66,817 – 24th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.8% – 13th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
17. South Dakota
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$759 (+13.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 36.5% – 3rd lowest (209,284 total)
> 2021 median household income: $66,143 – 22nd lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.3% – 22nd highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
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16. North Dakota
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$760 (+13.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 39.9% – 8th lowest (197,684 total)
> 2021 median household income: $66,519 – 25th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.1% – 16th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
15. Delaware
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$760 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 47.2% – 21st highest (329,682 total)
> 2021 median household income: $71,091 – 19th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.6% – 22nd lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
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14. Idaho
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$763 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 46.6% – 25th highest (611,292 total)
> 2021 median household income: $66,474 – 24th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.0% – 15th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
13. Hawaii
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$768 (+12.5%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 49.6% – 12th highest (493,634 total)
> 2021 median household income: $84,857 – 6th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.2% – 18th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
12. Maryland
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$774 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 39.1% – 6th lowest (1,570,923 total)
> 2021 median household income: $90,203 – the highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.3% – 10th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
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11. Florida
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$784 (+13.9%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 51.1% – 9th highest (7,863,983 total)
> 2021 median household income: $63,062 – 15th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 13.1% – 17th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
10. Illinois
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$787 (+14.1%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 41.8% – 12th lowest (3,534,768 total)
> 2021 median household income: $72,205 – 17th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.1% – 25th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
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9. Montana
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$790 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 35.8% – 2nd lowest (267,505 total)
> 2021 median household income: $63,249 – 16th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.9% – 24th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
8. Alaska
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$790 (+12.5%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 41.6% – 10th lowest (205,529 total)
> 2021 median household income: $77,845 – 12th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 10.5% – 12th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
7. California
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$794 (+12.5%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 49.4% – 13th highest (13,068,543 total)
> 2021 median household income: $84,907 – 5th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.3% – 21st highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
6. Wyoming
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$812 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 43.3% – 18th lowest (168,358 total)
> 2021 median household income: $65,204 – 20th lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 11.4% – 19th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
5. Minnesota
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$831 (+13.8%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 37.4% – 4th lowest (1,434,251 total)
> 2021 median household income: $77,720 – 13th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 9.3% – 3rd lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.0%
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4. Nevada
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$831 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 53.0% – 7th highest (1,167,146 total)
> 2021 median household income: $66,274 – 23rd lowest
> 2021 poverty rate: 14.1% – 11th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
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3. Arizona
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$833 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 47.9% – 19th highest (2,433,145 total)
> 2021 median household income: $69,056 – 20th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 12.8% – 19th highest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
2. Utah
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$910 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 48.2% – 17th highest (1,028,282 total)
> 2021 median household income: $79,449 – 11th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 8.6% – 2nd lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 2.1%
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1. Colorado
> Chg. in avg. monthly household expenses; Jan. 2021 to July 2022: +$937 (+15.4%)
> Adults who find inflation very stressful: 42.6% – 15th lowest (1,719,763 total)
> 2021 median household income: $82,254 – 9th highest
> 2021 poverty rate: 9.7% – 4th lowest
> Sept. 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
Methodology
To identify the states hit hardest by inflation, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state inflation rates from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee. States are ranked by the dollar increase in average monthly household expenses from January 2021 to July 2022. State inflation rates over the same period are also from the JEC.
Supplemental data on state-level median household incomes and poverty rates are from the Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. Seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are current as of September 2022.
We also considered the share of adults 18 and older who report finding the rising costs of goods and services to be “very stressful” in the past two months. Data was collected by the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest Household Pulse Survey between Oct. 5 and Oct. 17, 2022.
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