The most expensive cities to live in the United States in 2025 are primarily located in California, followed by other high-cost urban areas. Here are the top cities by overall cost of living and housing prices:
- San Jose, California: The most expensive metro area with a median home price of about $1.63 million. Known for lucrative tech employment and coastal proximity.
- San Francisco, California: Median home price around $1.18 million. A tech hub with high demand and limited housing.
- Los Angeles, California: Median home price close to $975,000, with high living costs driven by housing scarcity and lifestyle amenities.
- New York City, New York: Median home price about $950,000; globally competitive real estate market with high density and diverse attractions.
- San Diego, California: Median home price near $895,000; known for coastal charm but with a cost of living 45% above the national average.
- Anaheim, California: Median home price around $1.2 million; expensive due to tourism and pro sports teams driving the local economy.
- Boston, Massachusetts: Median home price about $820,000; high demand due to universities and historical significance.
- Bridgeport, Connecticut: Ranks ninth in price, surpassing New York metro with median home prices around $662,866.
Besides housing costs, cities like Miami and Honolulu also have high living costs due to utilities, transportation, and lifestyle expenses.
These cities consistently rank at the top of the list for the most expensive places to live in the U.S. in 2025, driven largely by housing prices and high local costs of living.
