Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and various economic websites reveal that Nebraska offers the nation’s second-lowest cost of living. That’s according to a “cost of living index” published at Top50States.com. In 2013, Nebraska’s cost of living was second only to that of top-ranked Mississippi, according to the index. Rounding out the best five states for living costs were Idaho (No. 3), Tennessee (No. 4) and Oklahoma and Indiana (tied for No. 5). The states with the highest costs of living were, in order, Hawaii, New York, Connecticut, Alaska, New Jersey, and California. The index considered average prices paid for housing, utilities, groceries, health care, transportation and miscellaneous expenses.