It might seem like a great idea to pick up and move to a big city, but the problem lies in the cost of living. The cost of living varies from state to state, like many things, and it is important to understand what you might be getting yourself into financially before making the leap to cross the border into a new state's territory. There are some that might appear affordable on the outside, but upon closer inspection, you might be surprised by what you find.
We have found the most expensive places to live in the United States. A few of these may seem like no-brainers, but others might shock you into rethinking your moving plans. Keep reading to see the ten most expensive places to live in the States!
10 Bridgeport, Connecticut
You might not think of Bridgeport, Connecticut as a contender for one of the top ten slots, but it is surprisingly expensive to live here. The standard of living relies on a $73,000 yearly income. The cost of living might not be that different from the national average, but it makes up for it with high priced groceries and utilities. The median home price is $292,00 and rent costs about $925 per month. You might not have even considered this as a place you wanted to move, but now you should definitely cross it off of your list.
9 Boulder, Colorado
Life in Boulder, Colorado might seem like a great idea, until you see their housing prices. The prices of groceries and healthcare are in line with the national average, but housing is astronomically high. It is not uncommon for someone who moved there to move away because they couldn't afford the space they were renting. The median home price is $534,00 and renting is at about $1,100 for a studio. It might make you reconsider your plans to plant your roots here, but knowing the cost of living can change things.
8 Potomac, Maryland
The median home cost of homes in this area is $760,000 and rent is not much better at $2,300 per month. They might be below the national average in the healthcare field, but housing shoots them way above the norm for the nation. It might seem like a great place to live in every other aspect, but once you factor in the large down payment you have to make for your dream home, it might not seem like it is worth it anymore.
7 Chicago, Illinois
The good news about Chicago is the rent is cheap at around $1,000, but the cost of buying a house is not. The median for buying a house in the area is $243,ooo, but transportation is where the cost of living will get you. Chicago is congested and parking is never cheap, so most people choose to purchase bus or subway passes. If you do decide to drive the cost of gas is higher than the national average at $3.23 per gallon. This city even has a food tax, which only adds to the costliness of your meal, but overall, it is still cheaper than New York.
6 Boston, Massachusetts
Boston may appear to be a great place to live, but under the surface, you will find high prices and an extravagance you might not be able to afford. The median cost of housing is $460,000 and rent is set at $1,500.
The food can be a bit pricey because of the focus on tourists, but the freshness of the daily catch can't be beaten anywhere else. Many people choose to buy a bus or subway pass, which increases the cost of transportation in the area and the overall cost of living.
5 Seattle, Washington
This beautiful city has grown tremendously over recent years, and it is a major reason plenty of people want to move here. It might seem like a good idea until you see the price. The median cost of a house rests in the $489,000 range and renting is still well above the national average. This is the perfect place to find seafood, but the high sales tax might deter you from making the big move, or rather, a big mistake.
4 Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. is a busy city, but it is also relatively small compared to the number of people who want to live there. This means the housing prices have skyrocketed into the $400,000 range and renting isn't much better as it costs around $1,500 a month. This is also a huge area for tourists, which leads to higher prices on food and necessities. Traffic is also a pain, so residents usually acquire a Metrorail bus pass for a price determined to empty your wallet.
3 New York, New York
New York is known for its expensive nature, and the $3,000 price tag on rent proves that point. The median price of homes in this area run at a price of $693,000 and anyone who has ever visited the city knows how expensive the amenities can be.
You might be enticed by the bright city lights and the rush of the crowd of people, but you might have to take a look at your pockets first before deciding to make a big move.
2 Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu's cost of living rates is higher than most, especially when their extreme tax rates are added into the mix. Their cost of toilet paper and gas are higher than anywhere else in the states, and the cost for their utilities is also through the roof. The average salary of those who live here is in the $60,000 range and rent for a studio apartment is around $1,500. Housing is also in such a high demand that the price to purchase land or to become a homeowner is almost impossible unless you have a lot of extra dough to throw at it.
1 San Jose, California
San Jose, California is the most costly place in the United States to live and a single person must make $92,146 in order to live here. The median home price is $1,058,800 which is a horrific amount when you realize it is probably more than you will make in your lifetime. The average rent for a studio apartment is about $1,900 which is really high for a single living space. The services you can buy in terms of food or clothing are also way above the national average, which is why this city is ranked at the top of our list.