The Most Expensive City in the U.S. and 9 Painfully Pricey Contenders

New York — The Big Apple comes with big price tags. Michael Lee / Getty Images

What’s the most expensive city in the U.S.? The answer depends on how you calculate cost, but some major cities stand out for their soaring living costs, housing prices, and everyday expenses.

Whether you’re thinking about rent, groceries, or healthcare, these cities test your wallet.

Here are 10 of the most expensive cities in the country, based on a mix of median home value, average rent, and basic expenses.

Contents

San Francisco, California
New York, New York
San Jose, California
Boston, Massachusetts
Los Angeles, California
San Diego, California
Miami, Florida
Washington, D.C.
Seattle, Washington
Honolulu, Hawaii

1. San Francisco, California

Famous for the Golden Gate Bridge and steep hills, San Francisco tops the list with sky-high housing costs. The median home price exceeds 1.3 million dollars, far above the national average. Even the median rent often tops $3,400 according to Zumper.

With tech giants in nearby Silicon Valley, it draws talent but demands serious income to live comfortably.

2. New York, New York

New York City, especially Manhattan, is a close contender. The cost of housing, transportation, and dining makes it one of the priciest cities to live in the world.

The median household income doesn’t always match the rising costs, especially for residents outside of the finance sector.

3. San Jose, California

As the unofficial capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose mixes tech companies and high salaries with unaffordable housing.

The median home price is over 1.2 million dollars, and even basic expenses are inflated. While median incomes are high, housing costs still outpace them.

4. Boston, Massachusetts

With its blend of universities, hospitals, and history, Boston is a hub for education and biotech. But that comes at a high cost: Average rent, utilities, and healthcare are all well above the national average.

The city’s compact layout makes transportation pricey too — roughly 10 percent higher than the national average.

5. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles offers year-round sunshine and access to beaches, accompanied by rising costs and limited affordable housing.

The entertainment industry drives wealth, but housing prices and groceries stretch most budgets.

6. San Diego, California

Known for its laid-back lifestyle, San Diego combines scenic coastlines with expensive places to live. Its median home price is near the top in the country, and gas, food, and services all cost more than average.

7. Miami, Florida

Miami is a sun-soaked destination with a growing population and shrinking affordability. Housing costs, combined with expensive entertainment and transportation, put pressure on the average income.

8. Washington, D.C.

The capital’s government and lobbying sectors drive high median incomes, but also high housing and utility prices.

Healthcare costs in Washington, D.C. run about 17 percent above the U.S. average, placing D.C.’s living expenses among the highest in the nation.

9. Seattle, Washington

Seattle’s transformation into a tech hub has pushed up median home value and rent. Companies like Amazon and Microsoft fuel demand, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the Pacific Northwest.

10. Honolulu, Hawaii

Island life comes at a premium. Honolulu suffers from high import costs, making groceries, gas, and utilities some of the most expensive in the country. Its housing prices rival California’s.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.