Which are the most expensive cities in the US

There are numerous reasons why you might consider moving to big and fast-growing US cities. Whether it is because of a dream job, study opportunities, or an urban lifestyle that you can only experience in cities. Whatever the reason might bit, the most important thing is to understand how much it costs to live in one. If you are planning on buying a house, it is essential to know the price of real estate and the market conditions. To give you a hand, Best Cross Country Movers prepared a list of the most expensive cities in US. These places are popular to live in and before deciding to put roots there, learn more about its lifestyle. Take a look at our article and decide whether these competitive cities are worth the money.

The cost of living may range from 40 to 80% higher than the national average

When deciding where to move, it is quite difficult to choose a state where you want to live. But when you finally decide, you still have to choose the perfect city that will fit your needs. This is why we gathered a list of the most expensive cities in the US. So, if one of these cities is on your dream list, this article will help you out. You will learn more about its expenses and cost of living. Are you wondering what contributes to the high cost of living? Housing costs, utilities, transportation, cost of various products, and health care are the factors that prevail. According to the information we received from some of the busiest residential movers in the US, the most expensive cities are:

  • New York City, NY
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Washington, DC
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Portland, Oregon

You probably always wanted to visit these cities. They are quite popular places to live in and make memories. By comparing the facts for each city that we listed above, you’ll be able to understand which of these cities is right for you.

A man at the airport deciding where to go
Moving to your dream city is not always easy, especially if you want to live in one of the most expensive cities in the US.

Living in New York on a budget can be challenging

When we go a while back, immigrants rushed to Manhattan believing that the streets were made of gold. Even today, New York City attracts thousands of residents who are dreaming of succeeding. The mesmerizing Big Apple is a dream city for the ones who are trying to make it out there. Renting an apartment and the cost of groceries is one of the most important factors in the overall cost of living in NY. Dining in one of the thousands of restaurants in the city is quite common. Depending on the area of the city, you will definitely have to spend a lot of money. Talking about housing, if you opt for a place in Brooklyn, you will have to put aside an average of $2,936 per month. And around $4,210 for the Manhattan view. Comparing it with the national average, the cost of living in New York City is about 142.5% higher than the U.S. average. On the other hand, food can be found at low prices. Transportation around the city can be cheap if you are using public transportation. However, if NYC is your dream, then the best cross movers in New York City can help you to find a reliable moving company for your relocation. It is a well-developed and fast-growing city with numerous opportunities.

New York City view
The most expensive suburbs in NYC are Central Park South, Noho, Hudson Yards, and Tribeca.

Sky-high prices in San Francisco, CA

If you have ever talked to anyone who lives in San Francisco, they will tell you everything about their high salaries. This is true having in mind that they are adjusted by the cost of living in the city. You can always count on the help of the best cross movers in San Francisco and pursue job opportunities the city has to offer. Even though it is considered one of the most expensive cities in the US, unemployment rates and poverty are quite low. San Francisco is rich in various industries such as tourism, financial services, and technology. The cost of living in San Francisco is pretty high. The average rent for an apartment is around $3,700. This is all due to the lack of construction. The city is surrounded by water and local laws forbid building heights to 40 feet in many districts. The housing supply struggles a lot and cannot keep up with the increased demand. This all leads to higher rents and costs.

The view of one of the most expensive cities in the US, San Francisco
There was an average of around 70,000 visitors in San Francisco each day.

Boston, a seafood dream for the lovers

Boston is a colorful city famous for its history, universities, and amazing seafood. It is a fast-growing city regarding job opportunities and world-class schools. So, it’s no wonder why it is one of the top choices. Grocery costs including dining out may cost you about $434 on a monthly basis. However, as for the housing options, average rents were around $3,434 last year. Renting a home in Boston can be challenging. Most people who pay rent, spend around 70% of their income just for the roof above their head. The housing market is always popular, so if you decide to move here, the best cross country moving companies in Boston are at your service. Boston is a walkable city and has convenient transportation options, so you can save a bit of money on this aspect.

Honolulu, a city with incomparable beaches

The first things that comes to your mind when thinking about Honolulu, Hawaii are magnificent beaches and a laid-back lifestyle. Hundreds of people are keeping the best cross movers in Honolulu busy due to their wish to be part of this amazing adventure. Finding a perfect home is not so expensive. You will need to set aside around $1,881 on average. This is all because of the law constructions and scarce housing options. On the other hand, groceries are extremely expensive in Honolulu. Potatoes and gallons of milk are two times more expensive than the national average and much of the food gets spoiled before it reaches the supermarkets. Another quite expensive thing worth mentioning is utilities, specifically electricity, where you will pay 95% more than the average American.

Honolulu beach in Hawaii - one of the most expensive cities in the US
Honolulu, Hawaii is definitely a dream for a lot of people due to its magnificent natural wonders.

Washington DC, the working district

The nation’s capital attracts hundreds of people every year in search of a job. The city has become a place full of hardworking young individuals considering the abundance of jobs. A lot of these individuals often struggle to find a suitable apartment, having in mind the same restrictions that are in San Francisco. The buildings in Washington are restricted to around 11 stories, keeping the housing options extremely high. Before relocating here, talk to some of the best cross movers in Washington about your housing options. The lowest you should be expecting to spend on food in Washington, DC each month is around $380. This isn’t too much compared to other cities, but DC does have the most expensive groceries in the US. However, if you want to be part of one of the busiest cities with institutions such as Georgetown University, then moving to Washington DC should be your choice!

Seattle, surrounded by majestic mountains

One of the fastest-growing cities in the country because of the advance of Amazon, is Seattle. The city has seen progress in the economy since Amazon started putting its roots ten years ago. Salaries have increased by almost $20,000 on average while the unemployment rate has dropped by almost 6%. Housing isn’t the only thing making Seattle one of the most expensive cities to live in. Transportation costs add to this as well. The prices have doubled compared to the ones a decade ago. So today we have a median home price being 2.6 times higher than the national average compared to a decade ago. So why live in Settle? It is surrounded by admirable evergreen forests, but the city is known for being environmentally friendly. One of the best cross country moving companies in Seattle will definitely assist you if you ever decide to move here. There isn’t much to dislike about Emerald City, as they call it, with good food, lively atmosphere, and amazing coffee shops.

Highrise buildings under pink sky in Seattle
Surrounded by water and amazing mountain ranges, Seattle is a dream place to live.

Los Angeles, a city with a vibrant community

Welcome to the home of Hollywood. Los Angeles is a center for entertainment, culture, and arts. It is a destination for many young aspiring artists, looking for their dream job. It is famous for its creative cuisine, diverse neighborhood, and innovations. If you are looking for a home with cultural history, a music scene, this is the perfect place for you. If you are trying to live your dream in Hollywood as well, you need to hire the best cross movers in Los Angeles and join this lively community. However, Los Angeles has a high rate of homelessness due to the economic struggles and lack of housing. Still, that doesn’t stop people from moving here every day. Long commutes are common here and you’d need to spend a lot of money on gas and transportation. However, their average income of about $60,000 makes the city a bit affordable on this list. If you want to be part of the tropical climate, surrounded by the natural wonders of the Santa Monica mountains, I include this city on your list.

Portland, living in the outdoors

If you want to be a part of this welcoming community, you’ll be lucky to find some of the best cross country moving companies in Portland and schedule your relocation. It is not a surprise that Portland, Oregon is considered one of the most expensive cities in the US. The cost of living in the city is around 20% higher than the national average. It is a magnet for people who live to spend their days outdoors and the city is the fastest growing place recently. Besides housing, which is 80% higher than the average, we should point out that transportation costs and health care contribute a lot. Due to the short supply of houses, property owners decided to raise the rents and prices of real estate. A lot of tourists come to Portland for food they cannot find easily in the midwest. This is why restaurants have to spend more money on their staff salaries and high-quality ingredients.

Portland
Oregon County also has one of the highest state income taxes, so research a bit more before buying a house here.

Why live in the most expensive cities?

All of these mentioned cities have cost much higher than the national average. The question arises: why live in such a city? Mostly because of opportunities. New York City has all the financial companies, San Francisco is home to tech and the internet. Washington DC and the suburbs that surround it have all the money that you spend on tax. The biggest career options, chances to make money remain in big and expensive cities. If you get used to living in an expensive city, wherever you go it will be cheaper than home. If you manage to save some money, you might move to an affordable community where everything would be much more approachable. Depending on your needs and aspirations, big cities tend to attract young individuals looking for a change and a fresh start. However, if you are planning on moving with a family, you might want to explore other aspects such as the school system, daycare, and neighborhoods. We managed to create a list of the most expensive cities in the US and your job is to figure out whether it is all worth it. Finding a good mover is not difficult, so create a budget according to these facts and start living your adventure.

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