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According to a study conducted by Princeton University economist Angus Deaton & famed psychologist Daniel Kahneman, the magic number for happiness is $75,000 a year (as of in 2008-2010). As people earn more money, their day-to-day happiness rises. That is, until you hit the magic number: $75,000 a year in income. After that, it's just more stuff, with no gain in happiness or daily mood...but the more you make over $75,000 does give a boost in overall satisfaction and it does make you feel you have a better life.

According to the "cost of living index" depending where you live it may take more or less money than the $75,000 to achieve the same level of happiness. For example, New York would need to earn $163,000 a year to achieve the $75,000 happiness level; in Chicago it's $84,750; but in other places it is be less. (taken from Salt Lake Tribune 9-12-10)

New York, California, Hawaii, and the East Coast are going to be the most expensive to live.

 * homefair.com (moving resources - compare cost of living index, etc)

http://gsearch.kiplinger.com/

http://www.bestplaces.net/

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx

http://www.cityrating.com/costofliving.asp

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html