Twelve of the 20 most expensive places are in California, with San Diego topping the list compiled by US News & World Report.
Boston, Massachusetts, skyline at dusk.
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US News & World Report released a new ranking of the most expensive places to live in the US.
Twelve of the 20 most expensive places are in California.
San Diego, California, topped the list, followed by Los Angeles.
There are many reasons Americans flock to big cities, whether it's the appeal of job opportunities or the amenities available to city dwellers, but regardless, the cost of living is something they all have to contend with.
Based on factors from median housing costs and monthly rent to average annual salary, US News & World Report identified a new list of the most expensive metro areas to live in the US in 2023-2024.
Here are the top 20.
20. Fresno, California
Aerial View of the Fresno, California, skyline.
Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock
Twelve places in California made it to the top 20 most expensive places to live in the US, as identified by US News & World Report. While still high, the cost of living in Fresno actually falls under the state average.
Population of metro area: 1,003,150
Median home price: $430,711
Median monthly rent: $1,098
Average annual salary: $53,860
19. Modesto, California
Daytime view of the Modesto Arch as it spans over I Street through downtown Modesto.
Matt Gush/Shutterstock
The cost of living in Modesto, California, which is positioned between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park, is more expensive than the national average, with residents paying more for basic necessities like utilities and groceries.
Population of metro area: 829,992
Median home price: $463,918
Median monthly rent: $1,251
Average annual salary: $53,906
18. Washington, DC
The United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
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Washington, DC, is one of the most appealing locations to live, with "world-class art museums, historic neighborhoods, thousands of acres of green space, and countless cultural festivals all year long," according to Insider's Christabel Lobo.
Population of metro area: 6,332,069
Median home price: $538,037
Median monthly rent: $1,783
Average annual salary: $80,480
17. Stockton, California
Aerial View of Stockton, California.
Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock
Currently the 11th largest city in the state, Stockton may seem more affordable than places in the Bay Area, but general expenses and cost of living remain substantially higher than the national average.
Population of metro area: 771,406
Median home price: $589,200
Median monthly rent: $1,387
Average annual salary: $55,020
16. Denver, Colorado
Downtown Denver, Colorado.
Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock
Known as the "Mile High City," Denver hosts up to 300 days of sunshine and has scenic landscapes, but its cost of living has increased significantly.
Population of metro area: 2,936,665
Median home price: $658,554
Median monthly rent: $1,554
Average annual salary: $66,750
15. Sacramento, California
The Tower Bridge in Sacramento, California.
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While the median home price in Sacramento was lower than other major California cities in 2022, its average home price was still more than $230,000 higher than the national average, according to US News & World Report.
According to state estimates, Sacramento's population increased the most out of California's largest 10 cities from 2022 to 2023, The Sacramento Bee reported.
Population of metro area: 2,379,368
Median home price: $619,981
Median monthly rent: $1,465
Average annual salary: $65,580
14. San Jose, California
San Jose, California, view from downtown to the north and San Jose International Airport at sunset.
stellamc/Shutterstock
Here, housing prices are higher than in most other places across the country and the price of basic needs, such as utilities and groceries, is even higher.
Population of metro area: 1,995,351
Median home price: $1,524,907
Median monthly rent: $2,511
Average annual salary: $99,430
13. Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington, downtown skyline.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
From enjoying the waterfront to immersing yourself in Seattle's coffee culture, there is so much to do in Seattle that you might want to do more than visit.
Population of metro area: 3,971,125
Median home price: $768,396
Median monthly rent: $1,701
Average annual salary: $76,170
12. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts, skyline at dusk.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
According to Insider's Maria Noyen, Boston is "a mini New York City," with a great food scene and modern accommodations, but is also family friendly.
Population of metro area: 4,912,030
Median home price: $716,746
Median monthly rent: $1,659
Average annual salary: $76,850
11. New York City, New York
New York City skyline.
TTstudio/Shutterstock
Since the pandemic, New York City has seen a sharp increase in rental costs, inflation that has made groceries more expensive, and a hike in energy bills. The cost of living is pushing people out.
Population of metro area: 20,968,258
Median home price: $642,004
Median monthly rent: $1,574
Average annual salary: $74,108
10. Vallejo and Fairfield, California
Sunset over Vallejo, California, casts orange light over the Napa River.
California Droning/Shutterstock
Vallejo, California, and Fairfield, California, are only 18 miles apart but form a safe haven for those fleeing the expenses of the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite still being higher than the national average, the cost of living in Vallejo and Fairfield are lower than the California average.
Population of metro area: 451,432
Median home price: $606,442
Median monthly rent: $1,802
Average annual salary: $64,270
9. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Skyline of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
ESB Professional/Shutterstock
San Juan, Puerto Rico, may draw potential residents in with its low rents, but its average energy bill is more expensive than what most Americans pay on the mainland, the Associated Press reported in June.
Population of metro area: 2,096,657
Median home price: N/A
Median monthly rent: $551
Average annual salary: $31,650
8. Santa Rosa, California
Afternoon aerial view of Santa Rosa Valley homes and hillsides in the Camarillo neighborhood of Ventura County, California.
trekandshoot/Shutterstock
Santa Rosa, California, is home to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the bedrock of wine country, and attracts people from all over.
Population of metro area: 492,498
Median home price: $889,590
Median monthly rent: $1,856,
Average annual salary: $64,080
7. Salinas, California
The historic city center of downtown Salinas, California.
Matt Gush/Shutterstock
The price of real estate in Salinas, California, an agricultural hub, is nearly twice the national median-home sale price, US News & World Report reported.
Population of metro area: 438,953
Median home price: $925,458
Median monthly rent: $1,718
Average annual salary: $56,350
6. San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California, skyline.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
San Francisco is the 13th largest city in the US. With fewer new homes being built within city limits in recent years, house prices have rocketed, according to US News & World Report.
Population of metro area: 4,725,584
Median home price: $1,122,946
Median monthly rent: $2,155
Average annual salary: $86,590
5. Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California, at sunset.
Max Angell/Shutterstock
Known for its celebrity residents and picturesque coastline, Santa Barbara, California, is a dream to live in — if you can afford to.
Population of metro area: 447,651
Median home price: $464,954
Median monthly rent: $1,810
Average annual salary: $62,020
4. Miami, Florida
South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida.
Mia2you/Shutterstock
The party city of Miami may downplay it, but its price of living is actually higher than the national average.
Population of metro area: 6,105,897
Median home price: $608,742
Median monthly rent: $1,492
Average annual salary: $54,790
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Skyline of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Izabela23/Shutterstock
Honolulu rakes in millions of visitors each year, according to the state's website, but living in paradise comes with a hefty price tag.
Population of metro area: 1,015,167
Median home price: $581,658
Median monthly rent: $1,870
Average annual salary: $61,860
2. Los Angeles, California
Downtown Cityscape Los Angeles, California.
Chones/Shutterstock
The sprawling metropolis is known for its current housing crisis, which has contributed to a high cost of living.
Population of metro area: 18,628,215
Median home price: $836,831
Median monthly rent: $1,685
Average annual salary: $63,056
1. San Diego, California
San Diego, California, cityscape at the Gaslamp Quarter.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
San Diego tops US News & World Report's list as the most expensive city to live in. With a beautiful climate, residents refer to their high cost of living as the "sunshine tax."
