The 25 Most Expensive Cities to Live in the US
From metro areas on both coasts to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, these are the most expensive cities to live in the U.S.
The most expensive cities in the U.S. are usually costly for a good reason — several, really. Residents are willing to pay extra for everything from housing to food to gas if it allows them to live somewhere with a wealth of employment opportunities or great weather. Others are looking for cosmopolitan living, with a host of restaurants, museums and other cultural options on tap. Many of these expensive cities appear in our ranking of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S.
However, in some cases, simple isolation plays a leading role in high prices. When pretty much everything has to be imported over long supply lines, prices are bound to be higher.
We should also note that the country is still feeling the effects of the worst bout of inflation to hit the U.S. economy in 40 years. This macro environment has made the nation's most expensive cities to live in even pricier than in recent years. Shelter was the "largest factor" behind the increase in inflation, according to the August CPI report.
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The Fed cut the fed funds rate three times, beginning in September 2024, but held steady at its previous meeting in August, leaving rates in a range of 4.25%-4.5%. The fed funds rate is a key overnight bank lending rate that influences other borrowing costs. At the September meeting, the Fed cut rates again, lowering the fed funds rate by 25 basis points, to a range of 4.00% to 4.25%. However, the connection between the fed funds rate and mortgage rates is indirect, and the recent fed rate cuts haven't impacted mortgage rates as of yet.
Mortgage rates have finally started to come down of late, possibly in anticipation of a September rate cut. As of September 17, 2025, the average interest rate for the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.35%, a decrease of .15 basis points compared to the previous week. If you are planning to refinance, the national 30-year fixed refinance interest rate is sitting at 6.59% with an APR of 6.66%, according to Bankrate.
And yet, surprisingly, there's something of a silver lining to these metro areas' fast-rising prices. As counterintuitive as it may seem, recent research by New York University economist Edward Wolff shows that "inflation has been a great boon to middle-class U.S. households’ balance sheets, and has therefore helped to mitigate the increase in overall wealth inequality."
Something tells us that city dwellers coping with the daily reality of relentlessly rising costs probably take little solace in such long-term, macro-level developments. But, hey, at least something good might come out of their increasingly stretched budgets.
But back to the data. To determine just how much the most expensive cities to live in the U.S. really cost, we turned to the latest data from the Council for Community and Economic Research.
Its cost of living index collects scores upon scores of prices across 265 urban areas, covering housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services (such as getting your hair done or going to a movie).
We also gathered data on household incomes, home prices and unemployment rates for each city to provide context for local living costs.
Take a closer look at the 25 most expensive cities to live in the U.S.
25. Prescott, Arizona
Cost of living: | 23.8% above U.S. average |
Population: | 47,400 |
Median household income: | $70,874 (U.S. average: $) |
Median home value: | $564,100 |
Average home price: | $1,017.354(U.S. average: $537,534) |
Unemployment rate: | 3.8% (U.S. average: 4.3%) |
Located at an elevation of 5,400 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains, Prescott offers a high-desert landscape far removed from the heat of the Phoenix basin. It served as the original capital of the Arizona Territory in 1864, and its "Whiskey Row" remains a famous historical strip of saloons that survived a great fire in 1900.
The economy is supported by healthcare providers like Yavapai Regional Medical Center and higher education institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the Granite Dells — unique rock formations surrounding Watson Lake — which provide stunning terrain for kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing.
24. Fairbanks, Alaska
Cost of living: | 23.8% above U.S. average |
Population: | 32,083 |
Median household income: | $73,534 |
Median home value: | $268,400 |
Average home price: | $539,756 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.4% |
Known as the "Golden Heart of Alaska," Fairbanks is situated in the Tanana Valley in the state’s interior. It was established as a trading post during the gold rush of 1901 and later became a vital logistics point for the construction of the Alaska Pipeline.
The employer base is tied to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and nearby Fort Wainwright.
Despite the extreme climate, recreation is vibrant; the city is a world-renowned destination for viewing the Aurora Borealis and hosting the World Ice Art Championships. In the summer, the Chena Hot Springs Resort offers a unique geothermal experience amid the rugged wilderness.
23. Sacramento, California
Cost of living: | 24.2% above U.S. average |
Population: | 535,787 |
Median household income: | $91,387 |
Median home value: | $515,800 |
Average home price: | $757,773 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.9% |
Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in the fertile Central Valley, Sacramento is one of the most historic cities in the West. It rose to prominence during the 1849 Gold Rush as a major distribution point and the western terminus of the Pony Express and first Transcontinental Railroad.
As the state capital of California, government remains the dominant employer, but the region has also seen a surge in healthcare (Sutter Health, UC Davis Health) and agriculture-tech.
Entertainment is centered in the Old Sacramento Waterfront, featuring cobblestone streets and museums, and the Golden 1 Center, which hosts major concerts and professional sports.
22. Alexandria, Virginia
Washington, D.C., and its close-in suburbs like Alexandria are a magnet for the highly educated seeking high-powered jobs. Naturally, many of those ambitious folks are highly paid, and the region's prices reflect that.
Taken as a whole, the official Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area (pop. 6.4 million) claims an average home price of $1.2 million – a premium of 156% to the U.S. average. But for our purposes, we're looking at only the priciest cities within the unwieldy Census Bureau designated area.
Which brings us to Alexandria, where the average home price of nearly $934,000 is more than twice the price of the typical American dwelling. Overall housing costs are 98% greater than the U.S. mean, driven partly by average apartment rents of $2,357 a month (vs $1,369 nationally), and average principal and interest payments on mortgages of $3,708 a month (vs the national average of $1,768).
Happily for locals, somewhat more reasonable prices for groceries, healthcare and utilities make the total cost of living in Alexandria "only" 37% higher than the U.S. average
21. Bellingham, Washington
Cost of living: | 24.9% above U.S. average |
Population: | 95,880 |
Median household income: | $74,220 |
Median home value: | $692,600 |
Average home price: | $776,483 |
Unemployment rate: | 5.2% |
Nestled between the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades, Bellingham is the northernmost city in the contiguous U.S. with a population over 50,000. It was formed by the 1903 consolidation of four smaller towns and historically thrived on coal mining and timber.
Today, Western Washington University and PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center serve as the primary employers.
Recreationally, the city is a haven for mountain bikers and hikers at Galbraith Mountain, while the historic Fairhaven District offers a Victorian-style waterfront experience filled with independent bookstores, galleries, and craft breweries.
20. Anchorage, Alaska
Cost of living: | 26.3% above U.S. average |
Population: | 289,600 |
Median household income: | $105,356 |
Median home value: | $429,600 |
Average home price: | $776,259 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.3% |
Anchorage is positioned on a peninsula at the head of Cook Inlet, framed by the dramatic Chugach Mountains. While it wasn't founded until 1914 as a railroad construction port, it played a critical role in the 20th-century development of the Alaskan frontier.
The economy is supported by the energy sector — with BP and ConocoPhillips maintaining a large presence — as well as the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson military installation.
For entertainment, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail offers 11 miles of scenic biking and walking with views of Denali on clear days, while the Alaska Native Heritage Center provides a deep cultural dive into the state's indigenous history.
19. Bozeman, Montana
Cost of living: | 28.8% above U.S. average | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
Population: | 56,114 | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
Median household income: | $85,747 | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Median home value: | $85,747 | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
Average home price: | $913,900 | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
Unemployment rate: | 2.9% | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
Bozeman sits in the heart of the Gallatin Valley, surrounded by four prominent mountain ranges: the Gallatin, Bridger, Tobacco Root, and Big Belt mountains. Originally a key stop on the Bozeman Trail for gold seekers and settlers in the 1860s, it has transformed into a high-tech and academic hub.
Major employers include Montana State University and a growing cluster of photonics and software companies like Oracle. The city is a premier gateway to Yellowstone National Park, offering unparalleled access to fly fishing on the Gallatin River and skiing at Big Sky Resort or Bridger Bowl, making it a focal point for the "mountain-lifestyle" economy.
18. Stamford, Connecticut
Cost of living: | 30.0% above U.S. average |
Population: | 139,112 |
Median household income: | $117,627 |
Median home value: | $671,000 |
Average home price: | $871,597 |
Unemployment rate: | 3.6% |
Situated on the Long Island Sound in Fairfield County, Stamford serves as a vital coastal link between New Haven and New York City. Historically, it evolved from an 1800s manufacturing center into a premier corporate hub, often referred to as "the city that works."
The employer base is anchored by the financial services and media sectors, hosting the headquarters of WWE, Charter Communications, and Synchrony Financial, as well as a massive UBS trading floor.
For recreation, residents frequent the 91-acre Cove Island Park for its beaches and high-end marinas, while the downtown offers a sophisticated entertainment scene with the Palace Theatre and a dense collection of upscale dining along Bedford Street.
17. Oakland, California
Cost of living: | 32.0% above U.S. average |
Population: | 443,575 |
Median household income: | $102,235 |
Median home value: | $884,000 |
Average home price: | $824,864 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.8% |
Next to Berkeley and within commuting distance to San Francisco, Oakland needs neither of them to entice foodies, culture seekers and nature lovers. Oakland enjoys a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with an average of 260 sunny days per year.
Alameda County is one of the most appealing of the Bay Area nine counties. Oakland has more than 50 distinct neighborhoods ranging from Temescal to tony Rockridge to the Oakland Hills. Lake Merritt attracts picnickers, boaters and birders, is the oldest wildlife refuge in America and is considered the jewel of Oakland. All of this beauty comes at a steep cost. Oklandites pay 77% more than average for housing-related expenses, including rents and mortgages, than most Americans. Their mortgage principal plus interest payments are $4,369 are $1,914 more than the national average of $2,455.
A major West Coast port city, the Port of Oakland is the busiest port in Northern California, and the fifth- or sixth-busiest in the United States.
Bay Area Rapid Transit doesn’t operate 24/7 like New York City’s subway, but BART efficiently connects the East Bay to points farther east, Daly City, the South Bay and beyond. Despite robust public transportation options, transportation costs for residents of Oakland still cost 44.6 more than average.
California is ranked by Kiplinger as one of the worst states to retire when it comes to taxes. Some retirees might pay an income tax rate as high as 14.4% if they are still working. Effective for 2024, a California tax expansion mandates a 1.1% payroll tax for employees making more than $1 million.
16. Juneau, Alaska
Cost of living: | 33.1% above U.S. average |
Population: | 31,794 |
Median household income: | $101,661 |
Median home value: | $101,661 |
Average home price: | $810,667 |
Unemployment rate: | 3.8% |
Located in the Alaska Panhandle at the base of Mount Juneau and across the channel from Douglas Island, Juneau holds the unique distinction of being the only U.S. state capital accessible solely by air or sea.
Historically, the city was founded on a major gold strike in 1880, a legacy still visible in its historic downtown architecture. Today, the economy is driven by government employment and a massive summer tourism industry.
Outside of work, recreation is dominated by the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier, which offers world-class hiking and ice cave exploration, while the Perseverance Trail provides a rugged trek through the area’s mining history.
15. Washington, D.C.
Cost of living: | 35.2% above U.S. average | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
Population: | 702,250 | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
Median household income: | $109,707 | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Median home value: | $733,400 | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
Average home price: | $1,054,100 | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
Unemployment rate: | 6.4% | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
When it comes to living costs, the nation's capital is a tale of two cities. Housing-related expenses, including rents and mortgages, are by far the most burdensome at 2.3 times the national average, according to C2ER, but other expenses aren't too bad. In fact, D.C. healthcare costs are a bit below the national average.
Groceries run about 4% above the national average, while utilities are about 2.4% more expensive. Miscellaneous goods and services are pricier by 16.1%. Happily, transportation expenses aren't overly onerous, at less than 13.1% above the U.S. average. A wide-ranging bus and metro system makes getting to and around the District of Columbia affordable.
And, of course, numerous museums and historical sites are free to visit, too.
Be that as it may, the average price of a home in D.C. stands at $1,137,933. Meanwhile, the average apartment rents for $3,495 a month — or $1,871 a month more than the U.S. average.
14. Bethesda, Maryland
Cost of living: | 36.0% above U.S. average |
Population: | 71,717 |
Median household income: | $187,236 |
Median home value: | $1,247,600 |
Average home price: | $1,157,111 |
Unemployment rate: | 3.4% |
What goes for Arlington goes for Bethesda, too. Residents pay a premium to live in the upscale D.C. suburb, which is home to the National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and many other prestigious federal government institutions.
As a medical hub, it's perhaps befitting that healthcare costs run about 26% lower than the national average in Bethesda. Other major expense categories aren't too bad, either. Groceries (7.6%) and utilities (12.2% ) are more expensive in this D.C. suburb, and transportation is only 0.5% less expensive.
The biggest line item contributing to Bethesda's high cost of living? Not surprisingly, it's housing. Renters and homeowners pay a premium of 94% to the national average to keep roofs over their heads.
Maryland has both an inheritance tax and an estate tax. The gas tax in Maryland is $0.46 per gallon this year and is the seventh-highest gas tax in the nation.
13. Arlington, Virginia
Cost of living: | 38.1% above U.S. average |
Population: | 239,807 |
Median household income: | $133,582 |
Median home value: | $945,700 |
Average home price: | $1,128,138 |
Unemployment rate: | 3.1% |
Washington, D.C., and its close-in suburbs sport some of the highest living costs in the nation. So it should come as no surprise that Arlington makes the list for one of the most expensive cities to live in.
This suburb, home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, sits just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. As with its neighbors, Arlington attracts ambitious, well-paid people — and has the home prices to prove it.
Housing-related expenses, including rents and mortgages, are almost twice the national average. Locals can thank an average home price of more than $1 million for much of that financial pain. Average principal and interest payments on mortgages top $5,000 a month in Arlington.
On the plus side for residents, Arlington's median household income of nearly $140,219 is among the highest in the U.S. Its per capita income of $87,159 is 79% more than the average of $48,689 in Virginia
12. San Diego, California
Cost of living: | 44.0% above U.S. average |
Population: | 1,404,461 |
Median household income: | $111,032 |
Median home value: | $980,700 |
Average home price: | $1,118,120 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.4% |
San Diego, with its miles of beaches and nearly ideal climate, is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. Be it surfing, sailing, hiking, biking, golfing, or just exploring Balboa Park, this city on the Pacific has something for everyone.
And for those who prefer more sedentary activities, San Diego offers a world-class zoo, museums, professional sports teams and a wide-ranging restaurant scene. You can also spend the night on the USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier named after the famous battle in World War II.
What's not to like?
Well, for one thing, San Diego has one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S. At more than $1.16 million, the average home price is 114% greater than the national average.
Or consider it this way: San Diego's median home value comes to $923,900, or 70.9% higher than the U.S. median of $540,508. The city's median household income, however, is only about one-third greater than the U.S. level. Renters feel the pinch, too, with the average apartment going for $3,132 a month vs the national average of $1,624.
11. Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington, is a major Pacific Northwest city known for its stunning natural setting, economic innovation and vibrant cultural scene. Seattle is uniquely situated on an isthmus between the salt waters of Puget Sound to the west and the freshwater of Lake Washington to the east. The city is framed by two prominent mountain ranges: the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east. And, on clear days, Mount Rainier dominates the skyline.
Seattle's economy has transformed from its historical roots in the lumber and shipbuilding industries to a modern powerhouse of technology and trade. The region is now a hotbed for software, e-commerce, and cloud computing. Today, the city is home to the headquarters of Amazon and a significant presence for companies like Microsoft (headquartered in nearby Redmond), Google and Meta.
The Port of Seattle is a crucial gateway for trade with Asia and Alaska, making the city a significant player in international logistics and commerce.
Home to Starbucks, the city is the birthplace of national coffee culture. While Boeing moved its headquarters to Chicago, it still maintains a massive manufacturing presence in the Seattle area. And it's also the home of the corporate offices of Costco Wholesale.
Washington state is one of nine states with no state income tax. While retirement income, such as pensions, 401(k) and IRA distributions and Social Security payments aren't taxed, there is a 7% capital gains tax. Only the portion of gains above the threshold ($250,000) is subject to the tax, and some assets are exempt from the tax.
With a strong emphasis on the outdoors, Seattle provides numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and skiing. Discovery Park is a massive 560 acres, making it the city's largest urban park, which offers miles of trails and shoreline.
The iconic Space Needle and Pike Place Market are essential landmarks. Other notable attractions include the Museum of Pop Culture, which celebrates music, film, and video games; the Seattle Art Museum; and the Chihuly Garden and Glass, showcasing the work of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.
10. Nassau County
Cost of living: | 47.6% above U.S. average |
Population: | 1,392,438 |
Median household income: | $143,144 |
Median home value: | $704,400 |
Average home price: | $1,244,366 |
Unemployment rate: | 3.1% |
New York City and its close-in suburbs like Nassau County are magnets for the highly educated seeking high-powered jobs. Naturally, many of those ambitious folks are highly paid, and the region's prices reflect that.
Which brings us to Nassau County, where the average home price of $992,318 is more than twice the price of the typical American dwelling. Overall housing costs are 109% greater than the U.S. mean, driven partly by average apartment rents of $3,361 a month (vs $1,547 nationally), and average principal and interest payments on mortgages of $5,194 a month (vs the national average of $2,537).
Happily for locals, somewhat more reasonable prices for groceries (6% above average), healthcare (17%↑) and utilities(16%↑) and transportation (6%↑) somewhat blunt the costs of paying the 15th highest home prices in America.
9. Los Angeles, California
Cost of living: | 50.6% above U.S. average |
Population: | 3,878,718 |
Median household income: | $82,263 |
Median home value: | $947,900 |
Average home price: | $1,353,505 |
Unemployment rate: | 5.0% |
Few cities can top Los Angeles for excess and glamor, but most of its residents don't work in Hollywood or shop on Rodeo Drive. While high living expenses make L.A. one of the most expensive cities to live in the U.S., median annual incomes are $1,903 below the national level.
And yet the allure of the nation's second-largest city remains strong. From Hollywood to Beverly Hills to Venice Beach, few cities can claim as many famous locales. For those who seek culture beyond the Kardashians, L.A. boasts several important museums and the world-class Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Just be forewarned that L.A.'s notorious traffic helps push transportation costs 28% above the national average. And although groceries, utilities, and miscellaneous goods and services are only about 7.9% to 39.1% costlier than the U.S. average, housing bleeds residents dry. Angelenos get a break on health care costs that come in 1% below the national average.
Indeed, housing-related expenses, including rents and mortgages, run 131.5% above the national average in Los Angeles. For example, the average price of a home in L.A. comes to almost $1.35 million, vs the national average of $540,508. Average rent ($3,011), meanwhile, is almost twice as high as the U.S. average.
Lastly, there's another thing that's unhelpfully elevated in the City of Angels. While the U.S. unemployment rate sits at 4.8%, Los Angeles' rate stands at 6.4%.
8. Boston, Massachusetts
Cost of living: | 50.8% above U.S. average |
Population: | 673,822 |
Median household income: | $97,791 |
Median home value: | $722,800 |
Average home price: | $1,141,124 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.6% |
With its unparalleled collection of universities, hospitals, historical sites, and tech and biotech employers, it's easy to see why Boston is such an appealing place to live. And while there's no question the city's popularity comes at a high cost, it's not nearly as high as some East Coast cities that are often mentioned in the same breath as Boston.
Boston has a high concentration of students, recent grads, and young professionals, and they require some level of affordability to get by while they're starting out. Utilities, for example, are "only" 44.8% more expensive than the national average. Healthcare costs 34.4% more than what the typical American pays, and miscellaneous goods and services are 15.4% more expensive.
Housing-related costs, however, are a killer, or 114.3% higher than the national average. Renters and homeowners pay more than twice the national average for their domiciles. For example, the average apartment rents for $4,157 a month in Boston. That compares with a national average of $1,624 a month, according to C2ER. The average price of a Boston home comes to $1,060,406 vs $540,508 nationally.
In another blow to residents' wallets, Massachusetts isn't particularly tax-friendly. It's rated one of the Worst States to Retire in 2025 if You Hate Paying Taxes and one of the 10 Least Tax-Friendly States for Middle-Class Families by the Kiplinger tax experts.
7. Queens, New York
Cost of living: | 51.7% above U.S. average |
Population: | 2,316,841 |
Median household income: | $85,273 |
Median home value: | $720,300 |
Average home price: | $1,440,574 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.9% |
Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world. In fact, it holds the Guinness World Record for “most ethnically diverse urban area on the planet.” It's also the most linguistically diverse, with at least 138 languages spoken throughout the borough. But the cost of living in this borough is especially high — a bit over 50% more than the rest of the country.
Housing in Queens is marginally cheaper than in neighboring boroughs Manhattan and Brooklyn, but remains elevated. Overall, prices are 152.2% over the national average. The average home sells for almost $1.36 million, and rent will cost you $3,937 a month; both expenses are more than double what most people pay.
Queens is also the home of the Mets and the US Open tennis tournament, and the former home of the New York World's Fair in 1964, now Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The first incarnation of It's a Small World, which debuted at the 1964 World's Fair, was an afterthought and nearly did not happen.
The median household income in Queens is $81,929, only $325 above the national average. That is more than the folks in Brooklyn earn and less than what Manhattanites earn.
New York took fourth place on Kiplinger’s Most Expensive States to Live in for Homeowners. Median real estate taxes paid were over $6,450, and homeowners age 65 and older may qualify for a property tax exemption or rebate.
6. Orange County, California
Cost of living: | 60.5% above U.S. average |
Population: | 3,170,435 |
Median household income: | $115,229 |
Median home value: | $1,037,200 |
Average home price: | $1,612,281 |
Unemployment rate: | 3.9% |
Orange County, known as The O.C. for short, is synonymous with wealth, so much so that there was an entire TV series made about it in the 2000s.
Several large municipalities make up the county, which abuts Los Angeles to the southeast, including Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine. But it's the smaller, tonier enclaves such as Newport Beach (median home value: $2 million) that cement Orange County's reputation for sheltering some of Southern California's richest and most famous.
The average home price for all of Orange County sits at almost $1.645 million, according to C2ER. That makes it the sixth priciest market in the country. However, at $3,056 a month, apartment rents are only a bit under twice the national average.
All in all, housing in the O.C. costs 173.3% more than what the typical American pays. Other budget-stressors include groceries, which cost about 7.7% more than the U.S. average, and transportation, which is 39.1% pricier.
On the brighter side of the ledger, healthcare costs are 4.1% lower than the national average, and utilities come in above average, costing 25.2% more.
5. Brooklyn, New York
Cost of living: | 61.4% above U.S. average |
Population: | 2,617,631 |
Median household income: | $81,027 |
Median home value: | $912,500 |
Average home price: | $1,502,091 |
Unemployment rate: | 5.5% |
Technically, Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs that make up New York City, but in the past couple of decades, it has emerged as something of a metropolis unto itself. Indeed, if Brooklyn were an independent city, its population would be on par with Chicago, the third-largest city in the nation.
Prospect Park, a 585-acre urban oasis, opened nine years after Central Park and shared the same landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Within walking distance are the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum.
Once upon a time, Brooklyn was considered a viable alternative for those who couldn't afford to live in Manhattan. Not anymore. Housing-related expenses, including rents and mortgages, are almost four times higher than the national average.
And yet, the median household income in Brooklyn of $76,912 is lower than the U.S. median. It's also almost $24,166 lower than the median household income in Manhattan.
Happily, not everything in Brooklyn is eye-wateringly expensive. Utilities costs are only about 19.1% higher than their respective national averages. And transportation expenses run just 13.4% above what the typical American pays. Health care, however, is about 28.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.
Adding to Brooklynites' pocketbook pain is the fact that, according to the New York state tax guide, this state is one of the least tax-friendly states for both retirees and middle-class families.
4. San Francisco, California
Years of relentless growth driven by high-paid tech workers have given San Francisco one of the highest living costs in the country, meaning even those with fat paychecks can struggle to make ends meet.
Houses are famously expensive — a seemingly insurmountable obstacle for aspiring homeowners. The average home price is a staggering $1.35 million in San Francisco, according to C2ER's cost of living index, and the median home value is the second highest among the 15 most expensive cities to live in the U.S.
Renters don't fare much better. The average rent for an apartment in San Francisco is $3,739 a month. That's 2.3 times the national average. Indeed, overall, housing-related costs in San Francisco are almost 2.5 times greater than the national average.
And the nosebleed prices don't stop there. Groceries, utilities, healthcare, and transportation expenses all run anywhere from 13.7% to almost 49.9% more than what the typical American pays. Miscellaneous goods and services are only 22.1% more expensive than the national average.
3. San Jose, California
Cost of living: | 77.7% above U.S. average |
Population: | 997,395 |
Median household income: | $148,226 |
Median home value: | $1,271,200 |
Average home price: | $1,939,131 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.0% |
San Jose possesses all of the grand natural beauty you might associate with California. The downtown has streets lined with palm trees and you can watch a majestic sunset over Silicon Valley. This all comes at a high price and that is why it earned the third spot on this list.
The tech roots of this area run deep. IBM established its first West Coast operations in San Jose in 1943 and opened an IBM Research lab in 1952. The hard disk drive was invented there. Today, San Jose is at the epicenter of tech development in America and hosts major facilities for many companies, including Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Hitachi, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Qualcomm and the North American headquarters of Samsung Semiconductor.
The abundance of high-paying jobs is necessary to live and work in the area. The typical household income in San Jose is $153,202, and that is almost twice the national average of $81,604. If you need to wake up with a cup of coffee before you start your work day, it will cost 18% more than in most other cities.
Housing costs are 232% higher than the national average, and the mean price of a home is $1,393,400. That is more than 2.57 times what most people pay nationwide at $540,508. The cost of heating and cooling your home, as well as charging your EV, is in line with housing prices and is 43.1% higher than average, although it is cheaper than neighboring San Francisco, where the costs are 49.9% above the norm.
California's state tax guide paints a bleak picture for taxes. California has among the highest taxes in the nation. Sales and income taxes are generally high, but effective property tax rates are below the national average.
Retirees don’t fare much better. California is one of Kiplinger's Worst States to Retire in 2025 if You Hate Paying Taxes. Most types of retirement income are taxable in California; retirees might pay an income tax rate as high as 14.4% if they continue to work and their income tops $1,000,000.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
Cost of living: | 79.7% above U.S. average |
Population: | 344,977 |
Median household income: | $86,169 |
Median home value: | $850,100 |
Average home price: | $1,660,955 |
Unemployment rate: | 2.1% |
To enjoy the perks of living in such a remote Pacific paradise, Honolulu residents pay more than they would on the mainland for pretty much everything — and it's not hard to understand why. Most goods sold in Hawaii must arrive either by boat or by plane, which jacks up the price considerably.
Honolulu has by far the most expensive utilities of all 265 urban areas surveyed by C2ER. Utilities cost a whopping 94.4% more than what folks pay on the U.S. mainland. They cost 22.3% more than the most expensive city on the mainland for utilities, Fairbanks, Alaska, where costs are 116.7%% above the norm.
Groceries don’t trail far behind. For example, eggs cost 37% above the national average, and bananas cost an eye-watering 102% more. Getting to the store costs more, too. Overall, transportation costs are 42.9% more expensive, and locals shell out upwards of 25.9% more for healthcare.
But, as always, housing is the biggest income-eater. Housing-related costs are more than three times the national average in Honolulu. Heck, the average home carries a price of almost $1.71 million.
Residents do catch at least one break when it comes to their finances. The Hawaii state tax guide shows it's among the more tax-friendly states for middle-class families on this list, and is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees. It also earned a spot on Kiplinger's 10 Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees.
1. Manhattan, New York
Cost of living: | 132.5% above U.S. average |
Population: | 1,660,664 |
Median household income: | $106,403 |
Median home value: | $1,105,600 |
Average home price: | $3,086,667 |
Unemployment rate: | 4.9% |
If you've ever been to Manhattan, you don't need us to tell you that it's an expensive place to visit.
But it's even more expensive to live there.
With space at a premium and location paramount, the median home value in Manhattan is second only to housing prices in the tech hubs of San Jose and San Francisco on our list of most expensive cities to live in the U.S. The average apartment rent stands at a stunning $5,735 a month, blowing away every other city tracked by C2ER. Meanwhile, the average home price is $2.95 million.
The budget-busting doesn't stop there. Residents pay a premium of almost 50% for health care and 38% more for a doctor's visit. While transportation runs 20.9% above average. Meanwhile, miscellaneous goods and services are 27.7% more expensive. For example, if you want to go to the movies, you'll pay 73% more for a ticket at $22.47. Yoga classes cost 38.8% more than the national average. All of this and more conspire to make Manhattan the most expensive city in the nation, by a lot.
By the way, you'll need to like crowds if you hope to make it in the Big Apple: Manhattan packs in almost 70,520.8 residents per square mile, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For context, San Francisco, which has one of the highest population densities in the U.S., hosts a mere 17,323.2 residents per square mile.
How we picked the most expensive cities in the U.S.
Source: C2ER's Cost of Living Index, 2025 Annual Average Data, published August 2025. Index data is based on average prices of goods and services collected during the first quarter of 2025, with index values based on the 2023 US Consumer Expenditure Survey. Population data, household incomes, home values, poverty rates and other demographic information are from the U.S. Census Bureau. Local unemployment rates, courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, are not seasonally adjusted and are as of September, 17 2025, for the month of July 2025, which is the latest available final data. Local unemployment rates for New York City, courtesy of New York State Department of Labor Labor Statistics for the New York City Region and local unemployment rate for San Francisco, courtesy of State of California Employment Development Department.
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