This study presents indexes estimating the cost of living, value of amenities, and equilibrium wages in 579 cities and averages for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. An additional index of the cost of providing government public services is derived from these data. The indexes are intended to be useful tools for employees, unions, citizens, and government officers for incorporating geographical price differences into analyzing and establishing salaries and county, city, and state budgets. The narrative portion of the study discusses the indexes and their use and describes how the indexes were developed. Text tables summarize data. Appendixes include formulas for the derivation of the indexes. At the end of the report are found these tables: cost of living, value of amenities, equilibrium wages, and cost of public services by city and state, 1985-87; consumption, state income tax rate, cost of living, value of amenities, and equilibrium wages, by city, 1985-86; cost of consumption and components by city, 1986; property ownership costs by city, 1985; and home heating and cooling costs by city, 1984. (YLB)