Where are you looking North or South? Expenses are pretty high in the north. I don't know how to compare it with where you are, but compared to the US, food and utilities , gasoline, and taxes are higher at least in the north. (Wine is much lower..) We are planning to move and have researched some of the cost of living stuff hoping we would save some $, but I think most things would cost the same or more. Health care is more reasonable but that is just becaue it is SO high here.