10 Most Expensive Cities in the US

Photo by Don Ramey Loga-Wikimedia

10 Most Expensive Cities in the US

Life in a big city doesn’t come cheap, and it is accompanied by high taxes, soaring house prices and rent and daily cost of living expenses preventing residence for many Americans.

If you are relocating to another city, relocating business, or planning a vacation in the United State, here are the 10 most expensive cities in the United States.

1. New York City

New York City lights near Times Square, 2020. Photo by Andromeda2064- Wikimedia

New York is the most expensive city in the United States and also tops the list of the world’s expensive cities. It has a population of 8.8 million and covers an area of 1,114 square kilometers.

Among the five boroughs of New York, Manhattan is the most expensive place to live. Manhattan rents average $4,140 and home prices $ 1 million.

Everything costs more in New York, from groceries to public transportation, making New York’s lifestyle expensive, with the cost of living being 154% higher than the national average.

2. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is a commercial and cultural center in the northern region of the U.S of California. It is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge and its electric cultural scene.

People decide to leave San Francisco every day because of the city’s substantially high cost of living and the high prices of housing and rent. Median homes price is more than $1.4 million in the city, whose significant industries include IT, financial services and tourism.

The high cost of living in San Francisco is influenced by the high-paid tech workers who earn above the national average. 

The city holds rich culture, and it’s a price worth paying. The city that gave birth to the Beat Generation in the 1950s, the hippie movement and remains a center for progressive culture to this day.

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

An aerial view of downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo byErgosum88- Wikimedia

Hawaii is known for its best beach lifestyle and prized for its gorgeous sandy beaches with perfect weather, palm trees, expensive restaurants, and the best coffee in the world.

To live in this paradise, the cost is high above the national average across a range of meters despite being an isolated large city on earth.

Its isolation contributes to the high prices since much food and other daily necessities must be imported into the island. Groceries run about 70.9% higher than the national average while utilizes cost more than 102.2%.

The median prices for homes in Honolulu are over $1 million, while monthly rent is up to $2,941. A resident who can afford to live in Honolulu benefits from the coastline’s excellent cuisine and stunning weather.

4. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is known for access to high-quality colleges, which provide a suitable higher education environment. It’s also a national leading tourist destination with a booming tech scene that rivals Silicon Valley and historic sites dating back to the 13 original colonies.

Boston salaries are high and the salaries are necessary to pay for the high cost of living, which is majorly affected by the housing market.

In Boston, the cost of groceries, restaurants and other daily expenses are higher than the national average. A family of four needs $76,034 in income to make ends meet.

5. Washington, D.C

Washington is best for diverse employment opportunities. It has numerous agencies, lobbying firms and thinks tanks providing jobs for 700,000 residents.

Despite the city’s political clout, the private sector is well established, with defense contractors, law firms and industry trade groups contributing to the local economy.

The daily cost of living expenses such as transportation, utility bills and health care cost compares favorably to the national average. According to Washington data and research, the housing market is very competitive, with the average price reaching $452,400 in 2020.

Washington is a center of political and financial power through the Federal Reserve Bank. Most influential people in America come from here.

6. Oakland, California

The Oakland skyline as seen from the Oakland hills. Photo by Basil D Soufi- Wikimedia

If you’re looking forward to living in California, the cost of living needs to be number one on your list of priorities and Oakland is one of the most expensive places.

Oakland has affordable access to the bay area, making it an affordable option for those who require access to San Francisco and other Bay Area spots but don’t want to pay the higher price tag.

Oakland has a relatively low population compared to some other expensive cities but is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay area. It was once home to one of the richest NFL teams in America.

Housing is still expensive, with a house costing $938,733 while more than $3,000 monthly rent. The high transportation cost also contributes to the high cost of living.

7. San Jose, California

If you are looking to escape high processes in the Bay Area, you will find a little reasonable process in San Jose, located within a distance of San Francisco and Oakland.

San Jose’s warm climate hosts some of the country’s leading tech and biotech employers. Silicon Valley makes everything expensive, including housing prices. This makes it hard for young professionals looking to work with leading tech companies.

Public transportation is one of the leading contributors to this high cost of living, although San Jose’s high-quality health care provisions and moderate utility bills offset it.

Housing and accommodation account for a large portion of the cost of living in San Jose. The median home costs $1.1 million above the national average.

8. San Diego, California

San Diego is another expensive American city in Southern California, extending from the Southern borders of Orange County to the Mexican border. The city has deeply rooted ties with the military and has become a center for healthcare and biotechnology in recent years.

The high cost of living is purtily caused by the city’s high average housing costs, with home prices dramatically increasing in recent years.

San Diego has thriving sports culture that attracts new residents to the area and is the home of Gary Sheffield, one of the richest baseball players in the world.

9. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is home to wealthy, glamorous movie stars. The movie industry plays a small role in the city’s booming economy.

The average cost of living in Los Angeles has an estimated budget of $3,832 per month, enough for a family of four to get by comfortably.

10. Miami, Florida

Miami is known as popular for retirement. It is glorious weather and the coastal breeze is a big lure for those wishing to move to Miami, nestled between Everglades and Biscayne Bay.

The city has a rich culture, part American, part Cuban influence with an electric music scene, art galleries and museums and a diverse selection of cuisine.

Miami also has a vibrant port that acts as a launching point for hundreds of cruise ships, where you might spot some of the most expensive yachts owned by the city’s wealthiest residents.

The Miami metropolitan area is home to over 6 million residents with an average median household income of $5,347, according to United States Census Bureau data.