A cost of living index compares the expenses from one town or geographic region to another. It includes costs for food, shelter, transportation, energy, clothing, healthcare, and childcare.

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index provides a benchmark for comparing the cost of living across different geographic areas at the same time.

Clark County’s cost of living is the fourth-highest in the Washington, behind King, Snohomish and San Juan counties, according to a national report.

Sonoma County government retirees seek first cost of living adjustment in 17 years “People must be able to retire with dignity,” said one retiree.

North Carolina's #1 ranked county is Bladen County, home of Elizabethtown, where the cost of living is $33,873, the per capita income is $39,264 and the cost of living index is 89.61%.

What, exactly, does “cost of living” mean — and how is it calculated? There are many different metrics out there that may not be entirely applicable across locales.

The cost of living is different all over the country. Many Americans point to it when they're looking to move to cheaper states.

Social Security beneficiaries can expect a 3.2% cost-of-living increase next year. It's a smaller increase than the 8.7% bump recipients got this year, which was the largest in decades.

Chicago had the highest Cost of Living Index score among the large Midwestern places that were part of Business Insider's analysis.

MS ranks third in US for cost of living. Does Hancock, Harrison or Jackson have best buying power? See county median income & cost of living.

Some homeowners are telling 7 On Your Side it’s getting harder to live in Fairfax County with the rising cost of living. Allen Wilson and his wife are retired educators living in Fairfax County.