10 U.S. Cities With the Highest Cost of Living

Have you ever wondered which U.S. cities have the highest cost of living? Perhaps you’re considering a big move, or maybe you’re curious about a city you plan to visit. Even if you won’t be worrying about rent or property taxes when you visit, as a traveler, local cost of living is still an important consideration for dining out, getting around, and choosing things to do. To find America’s most expensive cities, we turned to Numbeo, a cost-of-living database, which analyzed over 60 major North American cities. These are the 10 U.S. cities with the highest cost of living, as of 2025.

10. Miami, Florida

Cost of living index: 74.9

Renowned for its palm-tree-lined beaches, luxury real estate, and vibrant nightlife, Miami is the most expensive major city in the Southeast. The cost of buying or renting a home in Miami is 55% above the Florida average, with a median home listing price of $625,000. Prices soar to more than $100 million in some neighborhoods, such as Fisher Island, once a winter escape of the Vanderbilt family. And the city’s dining scene, though expensive, is touted as one of the best in the country — there are 15 Michelin-starred restaurants in the greater Miami area. 

8. San Diego, California (tie)

Cost of living index: 76.3

This Southern California city makes up for its high cost of living with plenty of sun and surf. Ranked eighth in the nation for cost of living, San Diego was also recently named one of the country’s most expensive cities to retire to, with higher taxes, housing, and transportation among the biggest costs to consider. The most expensive neighborhood in San Diego is Hidden Valley, a community on the northern side of Mount Soledad in La Jolla, where the median home price is more than $4 million. But there is some relief: Health care and food costs in San Diego are slightly lower than the state average. 

8. Los Angeles, California (tie)

Cost of living index: 76.3

Los Angeles is tied with its neighbor to the south as the eighth-most expensive city in the nation. As an international entertainment hub, the City of Angels attracts millions of visitors each year, but living in sunny SoCal full-time is expensive. Housing costs are 18% higher in Los Angeles than the state average in California — an already costly state. L.A.’s most expensive neighborhood in 2025 was the Hill Section of Manhattan Beach, with a median sale price of $9.4 million. The neighborhood is known for its scenic beach pier, brunch cafes, boutiques, and sprawling views of the Pacific Ocean.

7. Washington, D.C.

Cost of living index: 82.5

Housing is a major contributor to high costs in the nation’s capital — not only is rent among the costliest in the nation, but so are purchase prices. The median home price in D.C. is $595,000, well over the national median of $424,200. However, there are ways to save in this pricey city. For instance, there’s plenty of free entertainment at the Smithsonian museums, home to exhibits on art, culture, history, aeronautics, and animals. The robust public transport system also helps reduce costs. 

6. Boston, Massachusetts

Cost of living index: 82.7

Boston is the most expensive city in New England. Beantown draws in visitors and new residents with its blend of rich colonial history and industries such as higher education, health care, financial services, and technology. However, the perks of excellent health care, charming neighborhoods, and big-city entertainment come at a cost. A recent report also ranked Boston as the most expensive city in the U.S. to raise a child, with an annual cost of nearly $40,000. 

5. San Jose, California

Cost of living index: 83.7

California’s Bay Area consistently ranks among the most expensive regions in the country. San Jose, situated on the southern shores of the San Francisco Bay, is the second-most expensive city in the area. Here, the median home price is a whopping $1.2 million — more than twice the national average. One of the most expensive estates in San Jose, the Hayes Mansion, was recently converted into a Hilton luxury hotel, with 20 acres of property to explore.

4. Seattle, Washington

Cost of living index: 86.0

The median home price in Seattle recently jumped to $709,000, thanks to the city’s burgeoning tech industry, which has led to a limited supply of housing. However, while Seattleites endure high costs, there is plenty to love about the Emerald City, from historic markets like Pike Place to waterside attractions on the Puget Sound. 

3. San Francisco, California

Cost of living index: 90.7

In San Francisco, housing is 29% more expensive than the state average, making it one of the costliest markets in the country. The median home price in San Francisco is $1.2 million, tying it with its Bay Area neighbor, San Jose. In 2022, one of the famous Painted Ladies — a row of colorful Victorian and Edwardian homes — sold for $3.55 million. More recently, the house from the sitcom Full House sold in April 2025 for $6 million. 

2. Honolulu, Hawaii

Cost of living index: 94.4

Honolulu is the second-most expensive city in the U.S., in part due to sky-high grocery prices. In fact, among the 400-plus global cities Numbeo analyzed in 2025, Honolulu’s groceries ranked as the most expensive in the world, mainly due to shipping costs and limited locally sourced food options. However, the median house price in Honolulu for the end of 2025 was $610,000, about half the cost of the median price in San Francisco. Visitors should also expect to pay extra for their beach vacation: A recent study found that Honolulu charges the highest tourist tax in the world, at 10.25%. 

1. New York, New York

Cost of living index: 100.0

Home to more than 8 million residents, America’s most populous city is also its most expensive. The average rent in Manhattan is $5,632, well above the national average of $1,743. Restaurants in New York are also the most expensive of any major city in the country, but quality and quantity reign supreme in New York. As an international cuisine destination, the city boasts 72 Michelin-starred restaurants, dozens of James Beard Award-winning chefs, and unbeatable culinary diversity.