The debate over a higher minimum wage in our state got me thinking about how much value do we actually get from our hard earned bucks.  There are certainly places where it is more expensive and places where it is cheaper to live. SO where do we fit?  Thanks to the UK Daily Mail for the article.So assuming a $100 dollar bill as the standard, compared to the rest of the country, how far does a C-note take us in the Pacific Northwest?

For example: A Benjamin is worth $116 in Mississippi, but only $85 in Hawaii

The Tax Foundation compares price differences between states - which can vary by more than 30percent and found Washington, D.C., Hawaii, New York and New Jersey are the places $100 is worth the least while that same bill goes farther in Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and Alabama

The Tax Foundation reveals that the cost of living difference between states means the value of the cash in your pocket varies wildly.

Washington  $96.90

Oregon        $101.21

Idaho           $106.84

Montana      $106.16

California      $88.57

The Tax Foundation shows residents of Kansas are actually richer than New York residents after factoring in the price of goods

Tax Foundation says the regional cost differences, which were recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis for the first time ever, could help Americans rethink the places they choose to live.   

The data to calculate the cost of living variation across the country is culled from Consumer Price Index information.

The CPI continually measures the cost of a 'basket of goods' in cities across the nation to keep track of inflation. The data, however, also provides insight into price differences in communities across the country.

Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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