Current US Economy and a Glimpse of the Federal Cost of Living Index

These links provide data from the Federal Cost of Living Index.

This info is designed to give us some idea of how a state compares to other states, in terms of the expenses involved in residing there. But certain economic factors, like state sales tax and housing costs, don't correlate too strongly with data shown on the cost of living index.

In any case, see the following links to make your own assessments about the US economy.

COST OF LIVING BY STATE is a measure of living expenses for a state's residents, as compared to other states, and to the national average. This page also gives info on housing cost by state.

PERSONAL INCOME BY STATE shows your state's average yearly income and minimum wage.

POVERTY STATS provides a list of the percentage of people in each state living below the poverty line.

UNEMPLOYMENT gives current unemployment statistics for every state.

SALES TAX shows a list of states, and the basic sales tax rate for each state.

USA JOBS is a page of useful web addresses containing various job descriptions, along with ways to apply online.

STATE QUARTERS is a descriptive list of the only set of state-specific coins ever minted in the U.S.

EXIT FEDERAL COST OF LIVING INDEX