Most Expensive Cities to Live in the US
Ranked by our cost of living index (100 = US national average), among cities with population 20,000+.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent (1BR) | Salary Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Altos, CA | 381 | $2,451 | $133,350/yr |
| 2 | Saratoga, CA | 379 | $2,451 | $132,650/yr |
| 3 | San Carlos, CA | 377 | $1,961 | $131,950/yr |
| 4 | Cupertino, CA | 376 | $2,451 | $131,600/yr |
| 5 | Lafayette, CA | 375 | $1,999 | $131,250/yr |
| 6 | Palo Alto, CA | 374 | $2,330 | $130,900/yr |
| 7 | Belmont, CA | 372 | $2,026 | $130,200/yr |
| 8 | Los Gatos, CA | 371 | $2,078 | $129,850/yr |
| 9 | Menlo Park, CA | 370 | $2,209 | $129,500/yr |
| 10 | Manhattan Beach, CA | 367 | $2,444 | $128,450/yr |
| 11 | Burlingame, CA | 361 | $1,850 | $126,350/yr |
| 12 | Newport Beach, CA | 358 | $2,202 | $125,300/yr |
| 13 | Laguna Beach, CA | 354 | $1,961 | $123,900/yr |
| 14 | Mountain View, CA | 353 | $2,083 | $123,550/yr |
| 15 | Beverly Hills, CA | 352 | $1,964 | $123,200/yr |
| 16 | Mercer Island, WA | 352 | $1,725 | $123,200/yr |
| 17 | Millbrae, CA | 349 | $2,381 | $122,150/yr |
| 18 | University Park, TX | 348 | $2,058 | $121,800/yr |
| 19 | Sunnyvale, CA | 338 | $2,146 | $118,300/yr |
| 20 | Foster City, CA | 335 | $2,451 | $117,250/yr |
| 21 | Redwood City, CA | 333 | $2,071 | $116,550/yr |
| 22 | Santa Monica, CA | 320 | $1,637 | $112,000/yr |
| 23 | Danville, CA | 315 | $2,451 | $110,250/yr |
| 24 | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | 298 | $2,451 | $104,300/yr |
| 25 | Santa Clara, CA | 295 | $2,090 | $103,250/yr |
Index 100 = US national average. Higher = more expensive. Only cities with population 20,000+ are included to keep the ranking statistically meaningful.
See the full picture
Want the other end of the spectrum? Check out the cheapest cities ranking, explore the interactive US map, or read our relocation and salary guides.