just been looking into moving west and stumbled on some interesting cost-of-living data. turns out there are actually some pretty solid affordable options scattered across these states, which surprised me given how expensive places like san francisco and seattle are.

if you're wondering is alaska expensive - yeah, it kind of is. anchorage runs around $46k annually with rent hitting $19k/year, and groceries are 22% above national average because everything gets shipped in. but here's the thing - no state income tax, so it balances out somewhat.

but there are way cheaper alternatives. canon city, colorado caught my eye - only $36k/year total with healthcare actually 9.4% cheaper than average. great falls, montana is similar at $33k. if you want something even lower, clovis, new mexico and rexburg, idaho are both under $34k annually.

the hawaii option exists if you absolutely need it - wahiawa is the cheapest there but still $58k/year. utilities alone are 73% more expensive. sierra vista, arizona is interesting though - $39k/year, close to the border, decent outdoor access.

seems like the mountain and rural areas are where you actually get value. places like klamath falls in oregon ($35k) and cedar city, utah ($37k) give you outdoor lifestyle without destroying your wallet. the data's from early 2025 so prices may have shifted, but the general pattern holds - go smaller, go rural, save significantly.