CNBC has identified the most expensive states to live in 2019. Their index was based on the cost of basic items that we need to live like groceries and housing.

Hawaii is at the top of the list. A half gallon of milk costs $4.18 and the monthly energy bill averages out to be $388 a month.

California is the second most expensive state to live in. The rest of the top five are New York (3rd), Massachusetts (4th), and Maryland (5th). Other states in the top 10 include Oregon (6th), Alaska (7th), Connecticut (8th) and Rhode Island and New Jersey (tie 10th).

CNBC has also identified the cheapest states to live in 2019. Using the same index as above.

Mississippi came in at the top of this list for low cost living. A half gallon of milk costs $2.90 and the monthly energy bill averages out to be $127.10 a month.

Oklahoma came in second on cheapest list followed by Arkansas (3rd), Missouri (4th), Michigan (5th), Alabama and Tennessee (tie 6th), Kansas (8th), Indiana (9th) and Wyoming (10th).

I’ll be honest, I really thought Illinois would be in the top 10 for most expensive based on my monthly bills.

By: Buck Stevens