How Far Does Your Dollar Go in New York?

We all worry about money. It's a universal phenomenon. If you don't have it, you're worried about getting it. If you have a little, you're worried about making more, just to be safe. If you have a lot of it, you're worried about losing it.

But New Yorkers, at least in my experience, seem to be among the most concerned about getting their money's worth. I've traveled a fair amount and I've never met a group of people who are more preoccupied with getting the best deal possible than those get in my home state. This isn't in any way a negative thing; Lord knows I'm in that camp, too. But I was curious about how much we're actually getting for our dollar compared to other states.

The New York Times has an interesting piece right now about what $100 can actually buy you, state-by-state. And I have to say... well, it's not great for us here in New York.

According to the Regional Price Parities and the Consumer Price Index, as well as research compiled and clarity provided by the Times:

The “real value” of a dollar is highest in Mississippi, Arkansas ($114.30), Alabama ($113.90), South Dakota ($113.60) and Kentucky ($112.70). It buys the least in the District of Columbia ($84.70), Hawaii, New York ($86.40), New Jersey ($87.30), California ($89) and Maryland ($90.70)

What does this mean for you? Well, $100 only buys you $86.40 worth of goods at the national-average price. As you can see, that same $100 gets you $114.30 elsewhere in the country.

So, in conclusion, the only state where $100 has less buying value than New York is Hawaii. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, $100 goes the furthest.

As a frugal, money-paranoid person: I don't know much about Mississippi, but I guess I could learn.