15 U.S. Cities Where the Cost of Living Is Through the Roof

A vibrant city street scene with a steep hill. Cars line the road, flanked by colorful, varied architecture. Trees dot the sidewalks, and multi-story buildings and houses rise in the distance under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
tunart/istockphoto

Everything. Is. So. Expensive. It feels like every time we breathe it costs $5. Inhale, your property taxes just went up. Exhale, inflation is coming in hot. The weight of how pricey everything is sits on everyone’s chest, but there are some areas where it weighs even more.

From New York City to New Orleans, we ranked the cities with the most expensive cost of living in 2025, including data on their current cost of living index and average monthly salary.

1. New York, New York

A bustling scene in Times Square, New York City, with illuminated billboards, advertisements, and a vibrant crowd. Skyscrapers surround the area, and the sky is a mix of blue and orange, suggesting a sunset.
Pharrel Wiliams / istockphoto
Pharrel Wiliams / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 100.0

Average monthly salary: $5,627

Driving factors: Housing, income taxes, transportation, population density

2. San Francisco, California

A row of colorful Victorian houses with distinct architecture sits in front of a cityscape of tall modern buildings under a blue, partly cloudy sky. Lush green trees and grass are in the foreground.
tunart / istockphoto
tunart / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 90.5

Average monthly salary: $7,451

Driving factors: Housing, tech industry boom, geographic constraints

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

Aerial view of a coastal city with tall buildings along a canal, lush green golf courses, and a prominent mountain in the background. The ocean is a vibrant blue with gentle waves.
Art Wager / istockphoto
Art Wager / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 86.9

Average monthly salary: $4,200

Driving factors: Limited land supply, import costs, tourism demand, strict land use regulations

4. Boston, Massachusetts 

City skyline at sunset with buildings reflecting on a calm river. The scene includes a prominent glass skyscraper and a dome-shaped structure, set against a clear sky with a horizon of trees and distant buildings.
Sanghwan Kim / istockphoto
Sanghwan Kim / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 83.7

Average monthly salary: $5,750

Driving factors: Housing, property taxes, healthcare costs

5. Seattle, Washington

A vibrant cityscape at dusk features illuminated skyscrapers and a large, colorful Ferris wheel by the waterfront. Boats are docked in the calm harbor, and the sky is a blend of orange, pink, and purple hues.
NeoPhoto / istockphoto
NeoPhoto / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 78.9

Average monthly salary: $6,701

Driving factors: Housing, tech industry boom, high interest rates

6. Washington, D.C.

A row of colorful townhouses with green, yellow, red, and blue facades. Each house has multiple windows and distinct front doors, with small gardens and trees in front. The scene is bright and lively.
benedek / istockphoto
benedek / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 78.7

Average monthly salary: $5,868

Driving factors: Housing, taxes, transportation

7. San Diego, California

Aerial view of a city skyline with numerous skyscrapers under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, a large body of water with a docked military ship and marina can be seen.
Art Wager / istockphoto
Art Wager / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 77.9

Average monthly salary: $5,506

Driving factors: Housing, transportation, taxes

8. Los Angeles, California

Aerial view of a cityscape with a central pond surrounded by trees and palm trees. In the background, a skyline of tall buildings under a clear sky. Residential areas and roads with light traffic are visible in the foreground.
simonkr/istockphoto
simonkr/istockphoto

Cost of living index: 76.3

Average monthly salary: $4,764

Driving factors: Housing, transportation, property taxes, cost of food and groceries

9. Sacramento, California

A scenic view of a city skyline at sunset, reflecting in a calm river. The sky is streaked with pink and orange hues. A bridge with golden towers spans the water, and a white riverboat is docked nearby. Urban and natural elements blend harmoniously.
Manny Chavez / istockphoto
Manny Chavez / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 76.0

Average monthly salary: $4,549

Driving factors: Housing, cost of food and groceries, rising wages

10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A view of a city street lined with autumn trees and illuminated by streetlights, leading to a tall, ornate building with a clock tower. In the foreground stands a statue of a person on horseback, among other smaller statues.
Sean Pavone / istockphoto
Sean Pavone / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 73.9

Average monthly salary: $4,119

Driving factors: Housing, taxes, inflation

11. Chicago, Illinois

Aerial view of a residential area with several large houses surrounded by lush greenery and trees. The landscape includes winding roads and spacious lawns, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a hazy sky.
dszc / istockphoto
dszc / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 73.2

Average monthly salary: $4,915

Driving factors: Housing, transportation, cost of food and groceries

12. Miami, Florida

Aerial view of a vibrant cityscape with numerous skyscrapers along a coastline, surrounded by turquoise water. Boats are visible in the water, and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds enhances the scene.
Art Wager / istockphoto
Art Wager / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 72.8

Average monthly salary: $3,885

Driving factors: Population growth, inflation, desirability

13. Atlanta, Georgia

A panoramic view of a city skyline with tall skyscrapers under a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. A highway with cars runs through the foreground, surrounded by green trees and urban buildings.
Sean Davis / istockphoto
Sean Davis / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 71.7

Average monthly salary: $5,432

Driving factors: Housing, taxes, inflation

14. Denver, Colorado

City skyline with tall buildings under a vibrant sunset sky, featuring orange, pink, and blue hues. In the foreground, a park with a large pond and a historic building surrounded by trees. Mountains rise in the background.
EyeEm Mobile GmbH / istockphoto
EyeEm Mobile GmbH / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 71.6

Average monthly salary: $4,947

Driving factors: Housing, rising wages, inflation

15. New Orleans, Louisiana 

A bustling street in New Orleans at dusk, adorned with colorful lights and vibrant flags. People stroll along, surrounded by lively bars and historic buildings. The evening sky is clear, with city skyscrapers visible in the distance.
travelview / istockphoto
travelview / istockphoto

Cost of living index: 71.2

Average monthly salary: $3,826

Driving factors: Housing, insurance costs, tourism

Author
Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and English. Throughout her career, she has dabbled in a variety of subject matter from finance and higher education to lifestyle pieces and food writing. She also enjoys writing stories based on social media trends. Find her on Instagram @rachel.schneider922