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Here Are the Average Monthly Expenses for Gen Z in Every State and What They Spend the Most Money On

January 5, 2025

10 min Read

Written by Heather Taylor

Edited by Amber Barkley

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The eldest members of Gen Z are currently in their late twenties. As this generation rapidly approaches their thirties, their financial planning strategy starts to shift with changing monthly expenses. Gen Zers age 26 or older, for example, lose their parents’ health insurance in many states. They’ll either start looking for a full-time job that provides health insurance benefits or apply for health coverage during open enrollment periods.

What other monthly expenses do Gen Zers have, and what do these costs look like? To find out, GOBankingRates analyzed each state to find the average monthly expenses and the highest expenditure cost for different generations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey 2602 was used to calculate average expenditure costs for Gen Z.

In descending order from states that are most expensive to cheapest for Gen Zers, keep reading for a look at the average monthly expenses for Gen Z.

50. Hawaii

Household median income: $94,814
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $3,548
Total monthly cost of living: $8,910
Total annual cost of living: $106,915
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $4,911

49. California

Household median income: $91,905
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,745
Total monthly cost of living: $7,092
Total annual cost of living: $85,098
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,126

48. Massachusetts

Household median income: $96,505
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,763
Total monthly cost of living: $6,312
Total annual cost of living: $75,749
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,042

47. Washington

Household median income: $90,325
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,160
Total monthly cost of living: $5,484
Total annual cost of living: $65,802
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,008

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46. New Jersey

Household median income: $97,126
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,182
Total monthly cost of living: $5,189
Total annual cost of living: $62,262
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,136

45. Rhode Island

Household median income: $81,370
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,396
Total monthly cost of living: $5,017
Total annual cost of living: $60,207
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $15,981

44. Colorado

Household median income: $87,598
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,959
Total monthly cost of living: $5,003
Total annual cost of living: $60,037
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $1,671

43. New Hampshire

Household median income: $90,845
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,194
Total monthly cost of living: $4,943
Total annual cost of living: $59,312
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $1,853

42. Alaska

Household median income: $86,370
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,866
Total monthly cost of living: $4,913
Total annual cost of living: $58,959
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $7,552

41. Utah

Household median income: $86,833
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,998
Total monthly cost of living: $4,871
Total annual cost of living: $58,452
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $1,828

40. Oregon

Household median income: $76,632
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,080
Total monthly cost of living: $4,844
Total annual cost of living: $58,133
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,075

39. Connecticut

Household median income: $90,213
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,460
Total monthly cost of living: $4,837
Total annual cost of living: $58,043
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $16,197

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38. New York

Household median income: $81,386
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,177
Total monthly cost of living: $4,675
Total annual cost of living: $56,097
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,669

37. Nevada

Household median income: $71,646
Highest costing expenditure: Utilities
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,127
Total monthly cost of living: $4,627
Total annual cost of living: $55,526
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,31

36. Maryland

Household median income: $98,461
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,210
Total monthly cost of living: $4,555
Total annual cost of living: $54,656
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,083

35. Arizona

Household median income: $72,581
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,133
Total monthly cost of living: $4,528
Total annual cost of living: $54,337
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,055

34. Montana

Household median income: $66,341
Highest costing expenditure: Utilities
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,935
Total monthly cost of living: $4,488
Total annual cost of living: $53,855
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,940

33. Maine

Household median income: $68,251
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,258
Total monthly cost of living: $4,465
Total annual cost of living: $53,582
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $1,972

32. Vermont

Household median income: $74,014
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,253
Total monthly cost of living: $4,449
Total annual cost of living: $53,385
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $1,970

31. Idaho

Household median income: $70,214
Highest costing expenditure: Utilities
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,874
Total monthly cost of living: $4,366
Total annual cost of living: $52,388
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,930

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30. Florida

Household median income: $67,917
Highest costing expenditure: Health
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,076
Total monthly cost of living: $4,338
Total annual cost of living: $52,062
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $1,685

29. Virginia

Household median income: $87,249
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,060
Total monthly cost of living: $4,234
Total annual cost of living: $50,811
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,268

28. Delaware

Household median income: $79,325
Highest costing expenditure: Grocery
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,053
Total monthly cost of living: $4,153
Total annual cost of living: $49,835
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,463

27. Minnesota

Household median income: $84,313
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,018
Total monthly cost of living: $3,889
Total annual cost of living: $46,665
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,398

26. Wyoming

Household median income: $72,495
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,939
Total monthly cost of living: $3,840
Total annual cost of living: $46,074
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,368

25. North Carolina

Household median income: $66,186
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,004
Total monthly cost of living: $3,829
Total annual cost of living: $45,951
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,183

24. Georgia

Household median income: $71,355
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,978
Total monthly cost of living: $3,797
Total annual cost of living: $45,566
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,028

23. Texas

Household median income: $73,035
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,003
Total monthly cost of living: $3,666
Total annual cost of living: $43,996
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $12,409

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22. Wisconsin

Household median income: $72,458
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,915
Total monthly cost of living: $3,627
Total annual cost of living: $43,518
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,338

21. South Carolina

Household median income: $63,623
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,982
Total monthly cost of living: $3,616
Total annual cost of living: $43,387
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $11,965

20. Tennessee

Household median income: $64,035
Highest costing expenditure: Grocery
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,835
Total monthly cost of living: $3,595
Total annual cost of living: $43,135
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,251

19. South Dakota

Household median income: $69,457
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,852
Total monthly cost of living: $3,541
Total annual cost of living: $42,491
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,138

18. Illinois

Household median income: $78,433
Highest costing expenditure: Utilities
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,039
Total monthly cost of living: $3,530
Total annual cost of living: $42,356
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,781

17. New Mexico

Household median income: $58,722
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,849
Total monthly cost of living: $3,513
Total annual cost of living: $42,158
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,108

16. Pennsylvania

Household median income: $73,170
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $2,037
Total monthly cost of living: $3,508
Total annual cost of living: $42,098
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $12,636

15. Nebraska

Household median income: $71,722
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,906
Total monthly cost of living: $3,343
Total annual cost of living: $40,112
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,083

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14. Missouri

Household median income: $65,920
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,948
Total monthly cost of living: $3,319
Total annual cost of living: $39,828
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $11,965

13. Michigan

Household median income: $68,505
Highest costing expenditure: Utilities
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,961
Total monthly cost of living: $3,311
Total annual cost of living: $39,728
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,688

12. North Dakota

Household median income: $73,959
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,844
Total monthly cost of living: $3,307
Total annual cost of living: $39,690
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,508

11. Ohio

Household median income: $66,990
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,999
Total monthly cost of living: $3,279
Total annual cost of living: $39,344
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $12,157

10. Indiana

Household median income: $67,173
Highest costing expenditure: Utilities
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,888
Total monthly cost of living: $3,221
Total annual cost of living: $38,649
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $2,648

9. Kansas

Household median income: $69,747
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,955
Total monthly cost of living: $3,218
Total annual cost of living: $38,619
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $4,948

8. Alabama

Household median income: $59,609
Highest costing expenditure: Housing
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,914
Total monthly cost of living: $3,158
Total annual cost of living: $37,896
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $11,917

7. Iowa

Household median income: $70,571
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,898
Total monthly cost of living: $3,130
Total annual cost of living: $37,562
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $4,858

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6. Oklahoma

Household median income: $61,364
Highest costing expenditure: Grocery
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,882
Total monthly cost of living: $3,018
Total annual cost of living: $36,220
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,183

5. Kentucky

Household median income: $60,183
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,843
Total monthly cost of living: $2,982
Total annual cost of living: $35,790
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,413

4. Arkansas

Household median income: $56,335
Highest costing expenditure: Grocery
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,845
Total monthly cost of living: $2,982
Total annual cost of living: $35,780
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,183

3. West Virginia

Household median income: $55,217
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,969
Total monthly cost of living: $2,885
Total annual cost of living: $34,618
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $5,063

2. Louisiana

Household median income: $57,852
Highest costing expenditure: Grocery
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,762
Total monthly cost of living: $2,879
Total annual cost of living: $34,548
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $3,210

1. Mississippi

Household median income: $52,985
Highest costing expenditure: Transportation
Average monthly Gen Z expenditure cost: $1,843
Total monthly cost of living: $2,832
Total annual cost of living: $33,984
Highest monthly expenditure cost: $4,928

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed each U.S. state to find the average monthly expenses and the highest expenditure cost for different generations. First, GOBankingRates found information on each state, including total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income, all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The cost-of-living indexes for each state were sourced from the Missouri Economic Research Information Center. For each cost-of-living index, the average expenditure cost can be calculated using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey 2602 for different generations. The generations are defined as: Gen Z (born between 1997 or later), millennials (born between 1981-1997), Gen X (born between 1965-1980), and boomers (born between 1946-1964). This calculation gives the average expenditure cost of living for each generation in each state. Using the average home value as sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index for August 2024, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living can be calculated for each state and for each generation. The highest expenditure index and average monthly cost were also shown to find the highest expenditure cost for each state. The data was collected on and is up to date as of Aug. 24, 2024.

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