For many Americans, living on the West Coast is a dream. From the glitz and glamor of Southern California to the outdoorsy Pacific Northwest — and everywhere in between — the West Coast has a lot to offer. In many cases, this includes higher salaries and a higher cost of living.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) tracks overall price levels across states through its Regional Price Parities (RPPs). California is consistently among the most expensive states by this measure, driven heavily by housing costs.
