10 Most Expensive Cities in The US

Living in NYC or San Francisco along the coastal shorelines is a dream pursued by many. And rightfully so. Growing job opportunities, high per-capita income, diversified culture and better standard of living offered by most of these cities make them an alluring place to live for many. But another common thing that binds these cities together, is their exceedingly high cost of living.

All your housing related expenses – monthly rent, down payment, as well as the costs of utilities, together determine the cost of living. The amounts you pay for various services like healthcare, transportation, internet and gas are also included in the calculation of the cost of living index. Taking all these parameters into consideration, we’ve created a concise list of some of the most expensive cities in the US.

So, if you’re considering moving to any of these cities, this list will give you a quick overview of what the expenses can be, as well as what are some of the pros and cons of living here. Weigh these against each other, and you’ll know what’s best for you!

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities In The US

1. Stamford, Connecticut
2. Los Angeles, California
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Orange County, California
5. Boston, Massachusetts
6. Oakland, California
7. Seattle, Washington
8. Washington, D.C.
9. New York City, New York
10. San Francisco, California

1. Stamford, Connecticut

Stamford, popularly known as ‘the city that works’, is located in Fairfield County. Being situated in close proximity to New York City, it comes as no surprise that Stamford has been a popular choice among people who are always up and running around work in the Big Apple. Financial services, information technology and tourism are some of the main industry sectors here, and high-profile corporations like Charter Communications and Synchrony Financial, have their headquarters based here in Stamford. As these factors are building up, it’s easy to guess that living in Stamford, comes at a price.

While the overall cost of living in Stamford is around 42% higher than the national average, it is the housing related expenses that actually account for it. You would be paying around $3.64 for a loaf of bread, $2.12 for a gallon of milk and $1.98 for a carton of eggs because grocery costs are 9% more than the US national average. Your internet charges would average around $67 per month. Though these statistics make Stamford the least expensive on our list, it’s clearly evident that in no way can Stamford be a cheap place to live.

Also See: Moving with Current Internet Service Provider

Expenses In Stamford:

Average Monthly Utilities: $151.84
Average Doctor’s Visit: $125.77
Average Dentist Visit: $108
Average Fuel Cost: $3 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Stamford:

Thriving education and economy
Proximity to major cities
Diverse residents

Disadvantages Of Moving To Stamford:

Heavy traffic during commute
Humid summers and harsh winters

Median Home Value – $524,877
Median Rent – $2,080
Median Household Income – $89,309

Also See: Moving to Connecticut

2. Los Angeles, California

The center of the nation’s film and television industry, Los Angeles has abundant opportunities for all. With year-round mellow weather and bustling communities, living in this Southern California city is often fulfilling for many. Along with being a city rich in entertainment, Los Angeles is also home to famous art and museums. But not only is Los Angeles big sprawling city in California in terms of its size and population, the cost of living in Los Angeles is also around 48% above the US average.

To give you a perspective, you would need somewhere between $75,000 – $95,000, to live comfortably in the City of Angels. Now, this of course is not pertaining to all parts of the city of Los Angeles. If you choose to live in Encino, Panorama City or Lakeview Terrace, there’s a possibility for you to live comfortably even with an average income of $50,000. On the other hand, neighborhoods like Sawtelle, Venice and Hollywood Hills, are among the most expensive in Los Angeles.

See Also: Relocating to Los Angeles

Expenses In Los Angeles:

Average Monthly Utilities: $158.73
Average Doctor’s Visit: $121.67
Average Dentist Visit: $104.53
Average Fuel Cost: $3.42 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Los Angeles:

Plenty of outdoor and sports activities
Incredible food scene
Diverse population

Disadvantages Of Moving To Los Angeles:

Poor public transportation
Competitive job market

Median Home Value – $747,150
Median Rent – $2,259
Median Household Income – $58,385

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

Quite like its interesting name, the island city of Honolulu in Hawaii is filled with pockets full of charm. But all of this uniqueness and vacation like lifestyle has a price, heavy enough to burn a hole in your pockets. A part of it is also because of the fact that living on an island can just be over ten times more expensive than living in a central, mainland region. But when we talk about Honolulu in particular, the vast expanse over which the city is spread, makes it tricky to label it as an expensive place. What would actually determine your cost of living is whether you choose to live a mainland lifestyle or not.

Simply put, everything from utilities to groceries, the cost of living in the paradise city of Honolulu is all pricey over the national average. So even if you find the laid back atmosphere very appealing, you’ll have to be ready to splash out extra bucks for almost everything in the Big Pineapple.

Expenses In Honolulu:

Average Monthly Utilities: $269.43
Average Doctor’s Visit: $128.31
Average Dentist Visit: $110.23
Average Fuel Cost: $3.52 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Honolulu:

Umpteen recreational activities
Beach culture

Disadvantages Of Moving To Honolulu:

Lack of seasons
Poor waste management system

Median Home Value – $705,400
Median Rent – $1,889
Median Household Income – $71,274

4. Orange County, California

Along with being a hotspot for tourists from all over, Orange County is also an epitome of art and culture. So probably it isn’t so difficult to see why more and more people want to call the scenic beauty their home, making it the sixth most populous county in the United States. With many Fortune 500 companies having their headquarters in Orange County, a plethora of job opportunities greet its residents. And being home to many known celebrities just adds to the charm and popularity of this place.

Similar to Los Angeles, Orange County is also made up of various communities, each bringing their own vibe. While you may find the utilities and health care costs to be comparatively reasonable to the national average, it’s the skyrocketing home prices that make Orange County among the most expensive places to live in the United States. Small wealthy enclaves like the Newport Beach, Anaheim and Laguna Beach make living in the O.C. a costly affair.

Expenses In Orange County (The data is a mix of numbers for the county and Irvine):

Average Monthly Utilities: $144.09
Average Doctor’s Visit: $118.02
Average Dentist Visit: $101.39
Average Fuel Cost: $3.56 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Orange County:

Umpteen recreational activities
Beach culture

Disadvantages Of Moving To Orange County:

Lack of seasons
Poor waste management system

Median Home Value – $930,000
Median Rent – $2,188
Median Household Income – $81,851

5. Boston, Massachusetts

For many of us, the city of Boston has become synonymous to top notch education and raving historical sites. Yes, thanks to places like Harvard and Freedom Trail. Along with being a seafood lover’s paradise, Boston is also filled with fans from many professional sports teams. Though not as expensive as some other major cities on our list, the overall cost of living in Boston is still fairly high. As per Numbeo, around $4,164 is the estimated monthly cost, (excluding rent) for a family of four in Boston. This means that to live a comfortable life in Beantown, the average household income should be roughly between $70,000 – $82,000.

As a central hub for students and young professionals from all over, Boston is a mix and match of both wealthy and affordable. Just a heads-up, Happy Hours are against the law in Boston. Yet, it has so much to offer that people living here are ready to pay those extra costs. That said, if you plan your finances well, you may get to pocket a few savings as well.

Expenses In Boston:

Average Monthly Utilities: $174.31
Average Doctor’s Visit: $149.68
Average Dentist Visit: $28.59
Average Fuel Cost: $2.89 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Boston:

World class education
Highly walkable city
Vibrant culinary scene

Disadvantages Of Moving To Boston:

Need to find a home near workplace
Poor public transportation

Median Home Value – $660,377
Median Rent – $2,680
Median Household Income – $65,883

6. Oakland, California

Anyone who loves the vibe of a cosmopolitan city is sure to have a gala time in Oakland. And if you’re wondering why, the urban grandeur with a suburban quaintness of the Oaktown, shall put all your queries to rest. With a relatively strong per capita income, the expenses in Oakland do not pinch like its close neighbor, San Francisco, even though the overall cost of living is still around 53% higher than the national average in Oakland.

To give you like a rough estimate, monthly expenditures for a single individual in Oakland, would range between $1,100 – $1,600, while the average monthly net salary is close to $5,000. So, it’s safe to say that when planned well, Oakland surely gives you some scope to save on your budget. The city of Oakland is thus popular among people who want to enjoy life in San Francisco but are weary of its high end costs. And with only a distance of 20 minutes from the Golden City, you’ll never feel very far off when living in Oakland. Plus, with a vibrant nightlife and an incredible coastline to explore, Oakland shall make sure not to disappoint you.

Expenses In Oakland:

Average Monthly Utilities: $207.87
Average Doctor’s Visit: $136.28
Average Dentist Visit: $117.08
Average Fuel Cost: $3.40 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Oakland:

Good transit system
Pleasant weather

Disadvantages Of Moving To Oakland:

High crime rates
High city sales tax

Median Home Value – $813,680
Median Rent – $2,580
Median Household Income – $68,442

7. Seattle, Washington

A seaport city located on the West Coast of the United States, Seattle will never have a shortage of things for you to do. From outdoorsy, scenic views to enjoy and lush, evergreen forests to hide into, having a work-life balance isn’t far from reality in the Emerald City. Of many other things you may want to live in Seattle for, a bustling tech hub is surely among the most popular. Yes, biggies like Amazon and Microsoft have set a strong base here. And not to forget, Seattle is also the birthplace of our very famous coffee chain, Starbucks, instantly making all coffee lovers fall in love with the city, right?

But when you talk about the cost of living in this beautiful city, you’ll be surprised to know that they are over 55% higher than the national average. The high living expenses especially for utilities and rent is what majorly accounts for the elevating statistics. An annual salary of around $75,000 on an average, would be considered good enough to live comfortably in Seattle. But if you’re trying to look for more budgeted places, the vastly spread city of Seattle can surely help you find some.

Expenses In Seattle:

Average Monthly Utilities: $201.54
Average Doctor’s Visit: $137.40
Average Dentist Visit: $118.13
Average Fuel Cost: $3.47 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Seattle:

Blooming job market
No state income tax
Picturesque landscapes

Disadvantages Of Moving To Seattle:

Heavy traffic during commute
Lack of diversity

Median Home Value – $783,969
Median Rent – $2,624
Median Household Income – $85,562

8. Washington, District of Columbia

Whether it’s the plethora of employment opportunities or the charm of historic monuments, the US capital city is attractive to many who call it home. With government, healthcare, finance and education as some of its biggest industry sectors, Washington D.C. surely is open for anyone looking for career possibilities. Having said that, it comes as no surprise that the city is ranked as the third best place for young professionals in the nation. You can expect to earn an average salary of around $65,000 – $80,000 in Washington D.C. This, to some extent, covers for the fact that the overall cost of living in the capital city is around 63% higher than the national average.

Calculating the cost of living for Washington D.C. is in part, a little tricky. That’s because on one hand you have skyrocketing housing expenses and on the other hand, seemingly low healthcare and transportation costs. But we think it’s safe to say that the brimming job opportunities offered by the city help you create a decent balance for the high costs.

Expenses In Washington D.C:

Average Monthly Utilities: $152.52
Average Doctor’s Visit: $106.84
Average Dentist Visit: $91.78
Average Fuel Cost: $2.73 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To Washington D.C.:

Thriving job market
Cultural diversity
Variety of neighborhoods

Disadvantages Of Moving To Washington D.C.:

Stressful commute
Sky-high housing prices

Median Home Value – $649,486
Median Rent – $2,064
Median Household Income – $82,604

9. New York City, New York

Popularly and rightfully referred to as the ‘city that never sleeps’, life in New York City is always running around a clock. But this hustle and bustle is what probably draws endless people at the heart of New York. As the most populated city in the United States, NYC has a variety of people from all economic and social backgrounds. Despite the city being a genuinely expensive place to live for many, a whopping population of over 8 million still find comfort in the Big Apple. That’s mainly due to a wide range of job opportunities that the city offers, as well as the melting pot of cultures, it boasts of.

While a six figures salary would surely let you live a king sized life in NYC, you can still afford to live a pretty decent life with an average salary of around $65,000 – $75,000. The monthly expenses for a single individual, including the rent, would fall in the brackets of $2,500 – $8,000. This vast difference is because of the expansion of the big city. Parts like Manhattan, Brooklyn and Hudson Square are expensive in all aspects. Whereas the Bronx and Staten Island will allow you to live a comfortable life with a much lower cost of living.

Expenses In New York City:

Average Monthly Utilities: $167.37
Average Doctor’s Visit: $127.32
Average Dentist Visit: $109.38
Average Fuel Cost: $3.47 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To New York City:

Efficient public transportation
Rich history and cultural diversity
Drool worthy food scene

Disadvantages Of Moving To New York City:

Exorbitant rent prices
Unclean city

Median Home Value – $657,637
Median Rent – $3,090
Median Household Income – $82,459

Also See: 10 Largest Cities In New York

10. San Francisco, California

Rated on the top as the most expensive city in the US on our list, San Francisco has the highest cost of living in the entire nation. With a booming tech industry and proximity to major cities like Silicon Valley, it’s not difficult to see how or why the living expenses are so high in the Golden City. A family of four needs to earn roughly around $148,400 per year to be able to live a decent life in San Francisco. However, it’s the resourcefulness and benefits that the bay city offers, that make a huge part of the population want to live in the multi-faceted city of San Francisco. Apart from the kings of the tech world – Google, Apple and Facebook, tourism and financial services are the other industries that enhance the economy of San Francisco.

One of the biggest advantages of living in the Golden City is that you can still expect to see a six figure salary in your bank account, of course varying with the job that you get. But this may still not seem very sufficient if you’re planning to buy a house here. Although it varies with the neighborhoods, know that the areas in close proximity to the Bay Area, will not see house prices going below the 1 million mark. That said, it’s not entirely a tough game for an average person wanting to live in San Francisco, as the city is filled with plenty of neighborhoods to suit each lifestyle.

Expenses In San Francisco:

Average Monthly Utilities: $166.25
Average Doctor’s Visit: $132.96
Average Dentist Visit: $114.23
Average Fuel Cost: $3.51 per gallon

Advantages Of Moving To San Francisco:

Efficient public transportation
Diversified culture
Recreational and creative activities
Dog friendly

Disadvantages Of Moving To San Francisco:

High tax rates
Homelessness and drug addiction are serious issues here

Median Home Value – $1,403,197
Median Rent – $3,290
Median Household Income – $104,552

FAQs

What is the most expensive town in the United States?

Vineyard Haven in Massachusetts and Atherton in California are widely regarded as the most expensive towns in the US. The former for its location on the island off peninsular Massachusetts and the latter for its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, among other reasons.

What are the 5 most expensive cities to live in the United States?

San Francisco is the most expensive city, followed by NYC, Washington D.C, Seattle and Oakland in California.

Conclusion

If you learn the knack of streamlining and managing your expenses, living in an expensive city would not pinch you so hard. One thing that all these cities have in common is that they have an abundance of opportunities for all. So even if you’re planning to move to any of these costly cities, chances are that you’ll be ready to balance all the costs with the perks that come along with living here. Because at the end, we are all striving to get a better standard of living, right?

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