The Sound Engine

Sound Score

Every state scored 0–100 on the seven monthly essentials: rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities, electricity, gas, and internet. Higher Sound Score = your dollar goes further. Safe Index tells you the risk — Sound Score tells you the price.

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National Avg

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all 7 essentials combined

Most Sound

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Least Sound

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No Income Tax

0 states

context only — not scored

Sound Score weights: rent 35% · groceries 20% · healthcare 12% · utilities 10% · electricity 9% · gas 9% · internet 5%. Sources: HUD FY2025 FMR (rent, county-level) · BLS CES 2024 (groceries) · CMS NHE (healthcare) · EIA (electricity, gas, heating) · AWWA (water) · FCC/BLS (internet). County costs scaled by a damped HUD rent ratio. Income tax shown for context — not part of the score.