Most and least expensive cities in the US

Most and least expensive cities in the US - The US is home to a wide range of economic diversity, with room for both big spenders and penny pinchers in cities rich with culture, comfort, and character. Based on Kiplinger’s list, formed from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s latest data on the American Cost of Living Index, check out this gallery of the most and least expensive cities in the country.

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Cost of Living Index - The Council for Community and Economic Research measured prices in 269 cities for housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, health care, and other goods and services like movie tickets and beauty appointments.

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The US medians - To give some context, the median household income in America is $55,322, and the median home value is $184,700.

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The top 10 most expensive cities to live in - These cities' prices might be so high because of their gorgeous weather, rich culture, an abundance of well-paying jobs, or all of the above. Needless to say, they’re some of the most well-known cities in the country for good reason.

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10. San Diego, CA - With a sunny climate, paradisaical beaches, and a brimming arts scene, it’s no surprise that people with money will brave the high housing costs (138% above the national average) and cost of living (46.1% above the average).

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9. Los Angeles, CA - The City of Angels has a median income lower than the national average, yet the median value of a home is above it, and the cost of living is 48% above average. LA’s infamous traffic bumps up transportation costs, adding up to nearly 25% over the national average.

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8. Boston, MA - Boston’s reputation for its collection of universities, hospitals, tech companies, and historical sites precedes it. While the cost of living is 48.2% above the US average, the high number of students and young professionals prove that deals still abound.

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7. Seattle, WA - With both Microsoft and Amazon based in the city and a booming housing market, Seattle’s median household income sits at a comfortable $74,458, though the cost of living is 49% above the national average.

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6. Oakland, CA - Though the median household income in Oakland is close to the US median, the average home value is 2.7 times the US average, and the cost of living is 49.5% above average. To its merit, Oakland does have amazing weather and a thriving arts and foodie scene.

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5. Washington, D.C. - A popular tourist spot for its monuments, museums, and historical sites (most of which are free), Washington still faces weighty housing-related costs, with rents and mortgages at 2.5 times the national average. Transportation, however, is very cheap!

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4. Brooklyn, NY - Though not technically a city, Brooklyn has emerged as a separate metropolis in New York. The borough has a lower median household income than the US average, but Brooklyn—once a more affordable refuge from Manhattan—now sees a median home value of $590,500 and a cost of living that is 82% above national average.

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3. Honolulu, HI - Living in a remote oasis like Honolulu means paying more for almost everything, with gas prices consistently exceeding the average, and groceries costing nearly 50% more. The median household income is about $27,000 higher than Brooklyn's, but the cost of living is still 88.3% above US average.

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2. San Francisco, CA - San Francisco is infamous for its high-paid tech workers, which has driven living costs up to one of the highest in the country—92.9% above average. The median home value is an astounding $858,800, and the average rent for an apartment is $4,023 per month. The Golden Gate Bridge sure is beautiful, though.

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1. Manhattan, NY - Though technically not its own city but distinct enough to be considered separately, Manhattan takes the cake with the highest median home value of all, and a cost of living that is 138.6% higher than the national average. Groceries cost almost 40% more, and transportation is 30% above average.

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Pros of living in an expensive city - There are usually more (and higher-paying) jobs. There’s a vibrant atmosphere including food, drink, music, and art. Plus there tends to be a significant amount of sunshine.

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Cons of living in an expensive city - A high cost of living doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll earn a high income, and you could just as easily be enjoying nice weather and a cultured atmosphere in much more affordable cities.

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The 10 cheapest cities to live in - If those prices exhausted you, here are the cities Kiplinger found to the be the least likely to drain your bank account.

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The 10 cheapest cities to live in - Only cities with populations over 50,000 were considered, and each of these has a lower median household income and a lower median home value than the US average.

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10. Brownsville, TX - The low cost of living in Brownsville is largely due to the low median income, which is $20,000 lower than the US average. While there are cheap groceries, affordable housing, and reasonable health care, one-third of the residents live in poverty, and there is a high rate of unemployment.

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9. Oklahoma City, OK - The cost of living in Oklahoma City sits 15.1% below the US average, and the housing costs for both home prices and apartment rents are 27.4% below average. With all these affordable prices, the city still manages to offer big-city attractions including museums and a philharmonic orchestra.

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8. Jonesboro, AR - This college town boasts housing that is 25.8% lower than the US average, and its cost of living is 15.5% lower than the average. You’ll also save 20% on healthcare, and the big city scene in Memphis is just an hour away.
(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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7. Memphis, TN - With a median income of $36,975, it’s possible to buy a home for less than $100,000 in Memphis. With all those low prices you get the added benefits of good work opportunities with big companies, a lively shipping industry, colleges, delicious ribs, and, of course, Graceland.

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6. Knoxville, TN - Knoxville mixes city and country living at an incredibly affordable price, with a cost of living at 17.8% below US average. It also features the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee River, and a quick escape to the Great Smoky Mountains.

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5. Wichita Falls, TX - Housing costs are 30% below the national average in Wichita Falls, and the groceries are even cheaper, at about 40% less than average. The cost of living is 18.3% below average, and it’s a great place for anyone who wants to work in the United States Air Force, which is the city’s largest employer.

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4. Kalamazoo, MI - Kalamazoo has a fun name but a less fun reason for its cheap prices. Nearly a third of the population lives below the poverty line, resulting in the low median household income. That being said, Michigan University is a major driver of the local economy, and there are miles upon miles of hiking trails as well as three swimmable beaches.

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3. Harlingen, TX - Groceries and gasoline are incredibly cheap in Harlingen, and the median home value is $102,800 less than the national median. The catch is that 31.3% of residents live below the poverty line.

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2. Conway, AR - Home to tech companies, universities, and in close proximity to the Arkansas River and Lake Conway, this city’s low housing costs, utility prices, and health care costs make this an attractive city for those on a budget.

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1. McAllen, TX - This city is just 30 mi west of Harlingen, but it’s a relatively more prosperous town, that maintains a cost of living that is 23.9% below the national average. It does, however, have a poverty rate of 25.7% and a high rate of obesity. The city's main draws are its low prices and stellar bird watching opportunities.

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Pros of living in a cheap city - Cheaper cities offer the chance to live comfortably and thrive within your means, while big cities are usually just a short drive away if you’re craving more entertainment.

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Cons of living in a cheap city - Texas is a champion state for affordable costs of living, but it comes at a price. Unemployment rates tend to be higher and the state’s poverty rate is 15.6%, which exceeds the national rate of 12.7%.

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