The hustle and bustle in a large city has its own charm. There’s no doubt that Americans are drawn to city centers for a variety of reasons, including the abundance of job opportunities and the close proximity to restaurants, shops and other amenities.
The cities listed on this list have many advantages but also one major disadvantage – they all come with a high cost of living. What are the U.S.’s most expensive cities and why do they remain so popular despite the high price tags? Now let’s dive in and find out about 10 most expensive cities in the USA.
New York City
New York City is the most populous metropolitan area of the United States and the 4th largest city in the world. It offers a wealth of opportunities for culture, business and entertainment.
According to research, this is one of the most expensive cities in the USA. Its cost of living, which is 87.2% more than the average national rate, makes it a city for all. The cost of living in New York is 87.2% higher than the national average.
Population: 8,467,513
Median household income: $67,046
Los Angeles, California
The City of Angels is located on the opposite side of the United States. However, the city’s atmosphere could not be more different from that of New York City. According to the World Cities Culture Forums, LA is the most green city in America.
Housing costs are 198.2% more expensive than average. If you are lucky enough to find affordable housing in Los Angeles, utilities costs will be 6.3% less than the national average.
Population: 3,849,297
Median household income: $65290
Honolulu, Hawaii
Some may see the city as the Crossroads of the Pacific as a destination, while others call it home. Honolulu, the biggest city on the Hawaiian island state, is easily identifiable by its historical landmarks and beaches. This city offers more than just surfing and sunshine. It has authentic local food, shops and museums.
There are many things to consider if you plan on moving from the mainland. Not the least is that almost everything will cost more. As an example, since groceries must be transported from the mainland, the cost of grocery items in Hawaii is 38.9% higher than the average national price.
Population: 1,000,890
Median household income: $86,722
Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. is a city rich in history and culture. With 120 LEED certified projects and the LEED Platinum Leadership Certification, the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest honor, it has become one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the entire world. Curbed states that 9/10 of city dwellers live within half a mile of a park.
If you want to take advantage of all that this city offers, keep in mind that the largest cost-of-living differences are between D.C.’s average and national costs for housing and transportation.
Population: 670,050
Median household income: $98,432
San Francisco, California
San Francisco and its surrounding Bay Area are located further north along Interstate 5. Here, city life meets coastal charm. U.S. News ranked San Fran as the 10th best place to live in America. San Francisco is known as the city of steep hills, cable cars, and The Golden Gate Bridge.
It’s not surprising that the city saw its population increase by 9.5% over the past two years, thanks to a growing economy, a job market in constant growth, and a pleasant climate all year round. All these benefits come at a high price, however. The cost of living is 169.3% more expensive than average and the housing costs are nearly five times higher.
Population: 815,201
Median household income: $119.136
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is ranked by the U.S. News 7th for the quality of living. It may be appealing to historians who want to discover one of America’s most historic cities, to scholars seeking to attend one of many colleges and universities located throughout the city, or to sports enthusiasts looking to visit the oldest baseball stadium in the league: Fenway Park.
Boston has also been named one of the most expensive places in the USA to live and the best place to raise a child. The city is home to some of the best health care facilities and the local school system spends approximately $10,000 per pupil more than the average.
Population: 654,776
Median household income: $75,298
Seattle Washington
Seattle, located in the Pacific Northwest region of America, is known for its Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Starbucks also features prominently. The Emerald City, also known as Rain City or The Coffee Capital of the World, is home to major companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and other large corporations. It offers a perfect blend of what visitors
want from a city, restaurants, shopping and entertainment, with outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.
Seattle is home to the most expensive housing costs in the country. Housing within the city limits of Seattle cost 209% higher than average, and 145% greater than Washington state.
Population: 733,919
Median household income: $96,185
San Diego, California
San Diego, the state’s birthplace, is known for its mild climate, palm tree-lined beaches and 1769 founding. There are plenty of shopping malls, museums, and other entertainment options if you don’t want to spend your time in the sun.
San Diego, with its 60% more expensive cost of living than the average national rate, is a cheaper option in California city life when compared to other cities on this list like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Population: $1,381,611
Median household income: $83 454
San Jose (California)
San Jose, located in the Silicon Valley region, is the hub of the technology and finance industries. This has led to a high number of job openings and a lower unemployment rate than the U.S. national average.
San Jose’s cost of living is still 114.5% more expensive than the average national rate, despite being cheaper than San Francisco. However, the median income of the city is higher. U.S. News has ranked San Jose as the 2nd best city to live in for people who are concerned about their weather. News reports that there are 257 days without clouds on average per year.
Population: 983,489
Median household income: $117 324
Miami Florida
You’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere better for nightlife than Miami. U.S. News ranked Miami as the second best city in the United States for bars, nightlife and entertainment, behind Las Vegas. Miami, with its strong Latin influences in architecture, music and cuisine, is a truly unique destination.
As an added bonus, living costs in this city are only 23,1% more expensive than the national average. This is a bargain compared to other cities in this list!
Population: 439,890
Median household income: $ 44,268
The Bottom Line
These are some of the most expensive cities in the USA. It’s not hard to see why these cities are so expensive. With their growing economies and job markets, they have a lot of appeal. These urban areas, despite their high cost of living offer renters and homeowners alike a strong sense of connection and community that is difficult to find in rural and suburban environments.
It’s vital to not be blinded or distracted by city lights when choosing the right place to live for you and your family. Consider the financial and practical aspects of the area, along with the amenities. This will help you make the right choice.
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