From a $600,000 (£492k) studio to dreamy surfside pads that cost a fortune, we take a look at homes for sale in America's most expensive urban areas to live in, according to data from the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index. In a somewhat controversial move, the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn were treated as separate cities for this list—but when you see the prices you'll surely agree they deserve a mention. Click or scroll on and prepare to be amazed at what it costs to live in the big smoke...
NB: All figures were correct at the time of publishing.
Renowned for its beaches, parks and warm climate, San Diego is a bustling metropolis on the Pacific coast of California, just above the Mexico-US border. Because of its deep-water harbour, the site has long been associated with the US Navy, but in recent years has also been developing a reputation as a centre for healthcare and biotechnology as well. San Diego also offers a world-class zoo, the prestigious University of California, San Diego and miles of gorgeous beachfront.
With a median household income of $93,042 (£76.9k), well above the national average, San Diego also has a comparatively high cost of living at 47.4% above the national average. Housing comprises a significant part of this total, with household costs a whopping 127% higher than the national average. For those looking to buy, the median sold home price comes in at a significant $780,000 (£639k).
Built in 2000, this beautiful four-bed, three-bath home comes in just over the average at $829,000 (£685k). This ‘turn-key ready’ house boasts vaulted ceilings, wood laminated floors, designer paint, a chef’s kitchen with stainless steel appliances and plenty of natural light. Perched on a hillside, the home also gets fabulous ocean breezes all year round, according to the listing.
The home’s main living area features double-height ceilings, a fireplace, large windows and sliding glass doors overlooking the backyard. The kitchen is connected to the combined living and dining area by means of a serving hatch-style window and offers plenty of space for multiple cooks in the kitchen. Upstairs, the home’s four bedrooms are bright, spacious and airy, making the home ideal for family living.
With its historic cobblestone streets, beautiful brownstones and lush public parks, Boston has long been a dream destination for people from all over the country and indeed all over the world. Offering countless museums, some of the world’s leading hospitals and more universities per capita than anywhere else in the US, Boston has a median household income of $79,283 (£65.5k).
A small city, Boston’s real estate is at a premium and prices are correspondingly killer. Renters and homeowners in Boston can expect to pay well over three times the national average to keep a roof over their heads, with Boston ranking as the fourth most expensive city in the US in which to rent after New York, San Francisco and San Jose. Homeowners, on the other hand, can expect a median sold home price of $740,000 (£600k), according to Realtor.
However, this rate increases exponentially the closer you move towards the city centre. For example, this two-bed, two-bath condo in East Boston—across the harbour from the city centre—is about as close to downtown Boston within the median price point. Built in 2022, the brand-new apartment is currently on the market for $720,000 (£583k).
At only 912 square feet, the apartment features a compact kitchen, living and dining room combo. However, with white walls and cabinetry, large windows and light hardwood flooring, the home’s interior is expertly designed to give the illusion of more space than the limited square footage actually provides. Plus, for extra room to stretch out, the building also offers gym facilities and a lovely roof deck with views of the Boston skyline.
Perched on the Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is the beating heart of the American tech industry, playing host to the headquarters of the likes of Amazon and Microsoft. However, in spite of its technocentric epicentre, Seattle also boasts thousands of acres of parkland and is hemmed in on all sides by either water or evergreen-covered mountains. The city has therefore understandably drawn a population that is young, entrepreneurial and—above all else—high-earning.
With a median household income of a staggering $110,781 (£91.5k), Seattle’s cost of living is correspondingly 52.2% above the US average. However, home values are not quite as high as you might expect, with Realtor calculating the median sold home price at $811,300 (£657.4k).
That being said, homes for sale in this price range are very difficult to come by in a city that’s increasingly attracting an influx of young entrepreneurs, and you’re not likely to find more than a one-bed at the median price point. With one bedroom, two baths and just 1,208 square feet, this condo is currently on the market for $799,950 (£658k), a little under the median sale price for the city.
However, this property is a particularly glamorous one, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a modern, open floor plan. In fact, the main living area feels more like an office space than a home, with an extremely modern, minimalist interior design, high ceilings and recessed light fixtures. The bedroom also offers sliding glass doors out onto a small balcony overlooking a park.
The epicentre of the American film and television industry, this sprawling southern California city is the largest in the state and the second most populous in the US after New York. LA’s Mediterranean climate, countless celebrity residents and the towering letters of the Hollywood sign have attracted a diverse population, with a median household income of $70,372 (£58.2k)—only just above the national average.
However, the cost of living in this glittering metropolis is a whopping 52.5% above the national average and housing-related expenses account for a substantial part of this hefty sum. Realtor puts the median sold home price at $950,000 (£769.8k), an unachievable fee for the vast majority of LA’s residents, given the median household income.
The housing market in Los Angeles draws a firm line under the age-old adage "location, location, location". Even with a budget of just under a million dollars, properties are scarce and you don’t get the same bang for your buck as you might in other places. That being said, this charming four-bed, two-bath home offers 1,534 square feet of space, perfectly on budget at $950,000 (£769.8k). Originally built in 1921, the home boasts a large covered patio and an even larger backyard full of fruit trees.
At the heart of this single-level home, the cosy living room features an original gas fireplace and laminated wood floors, which also run throughout the four bedrooms. Next door, the kitchen comes complete with granite countertops and opens out into the formal dining room. Large picture windows throughout the house let in plenty of natural light, and the patio and yard make the perfect location for family gatherings or casual entertaining.
The national capital, Washington DC is a unique city with a wealth of cultural, historical and natural attractions. Visitors come from all over the world to admire the cherry blossoms along the Mall in the spring, visit the many national monuments and museums and attend the prestigious Georgetown University. Consequently, the District of Columbia is also the sixth most expensive place to live in the US, with the average cost of living coming in at 53.4% above the national average.
Within its small population, DC harbours a vast wealth gap, with its many politicians earning comfortably well above the national average, while a significant portion of the rest of the population struggles to make ends meet. However, the city’s median household income is fixed at $90,088 (£74.4k) and the median sold home value is surprisingly low at $655,000 (£530.1k), according to Realtor.
That being said, much like Boston, DC is a small city and property for sale is hard to come by, especially at the median price point. Also like Boston, dollars do not equal square footage and you pay for location rather than space. For example, this one-bed, one-bath apartment only offers 857 square feet of space for $659,000 (£542.3k), $4,000 (£3.3k) above the median for the city.
However, there is much to love about this miniature masterpiece. The building was constructed in 1905 and the apartment still features original hardwood floors, window sashes and a fireplace. However, the space has also been beautifully renovated to modern standards and boasts an elegantly marble-clad kitchen, an in-unit washer and dryer and a small but sleek bathroom. With an open floor plan and plenty of natural light, this home is a dream pad for a high-earning young professional.
Moving down the California coastline, we arrive at the fifth most expensive place to live in the US. Though not an actual city, Orange County—known colloquially as "the OC"—has developed its own unique identity synonymous with wealth, luxury and opulence, substantially exacerbated by the early 2000s TV show by the same name. Home to the Disneyland resort, as well as an assortment of world-renowned surfing beaches, Orange County attracts a huge number of tourists and residents alike.
With a median household income of $100,559 (£83.1k), it’s no great surprise that the OC boasts the fifth priciest housing market in the country. According to Realtor, the median sold house price for the region comes in at $920,000 (£751.2k), slightly less than that of LA, but still well above budget for the average American. On top of that, the OC’s calculated cost of living is a good 54.9% above the US average.
Slightly above the median sold house price at $935,000 (£758k), this four-bed, three-bath family home offers 1,976 square feet of space. The first floor features a spacious living room complete with a gas fireplace, with sliding doors leading out onto a back patio and a picture window cut-out connecting it to the formal dining room. Next door, the large kitchen boasts white cabinets and a breakfast nook for more casual family fare.
Upstairs, a lofted area can be converted into either an office or play area, and up another flight of stairs the home’s four bedrooms offer plenty of storage space and natural light. The master bedroom boasts an impressive ensuite, which includes a luxurious soaking tub and dual vanities.
Though technically one of New York’s five boroughs, Brooklyn has recently undergone a major renaissance, developing its own unique metropolitan identity and a vibrant, diverse population almost equal in size to that of Chicago. The area has been deemed particularly desirable to New York’s younger arrivals and boasts an ever-expanding assortment of fringe theatres, artisan coffee shops, high-end restaurants and upscale shopping boutiques.
However, with a median household income lower than that of the national median at $67,567 (£55.8k), Brooklyn’s living costs are incongruously high: a shocking 70.3% above the national average. Though not quite as pricey as some of the other high-cost-of-living areas we’ve looked at, Brooklyn’s median sold home value comes in at $649,500 (£531k), well above budget for the average earner in the borough.
Consequently, in reality, the vast majority of Brooklyn residents rent rather than buy, and those looking to make a permanent purchase within the constraints of the median sold-home budget should anticipate smaller spaces. For example, this two-bed, one-bath apartment is only 766 square feet and is currently on the market for bang on the median price at $650,000 (£527k).
The apartment offers a combined living and dining area, with a set of sliding glass doors leading out onto a small balcony. The kitchen and bathroom are both somewhat dated but serviceable, with the appliances at least being up to date. Both bedrooms are small but bright and feature plenty of built-in storage and beautiful hardwood flooring, which can also be found in the living room.
Long considered one of the Pacific Coast’s most desirable destinations, San Francisco is famous for its hilly terrain, beautiful old Victorian homes and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco, or "Frisco" as it is colloquially known, is considered the cultural, commercial and financial hub of northern California and, with a thriving tech scene, has increasingly been attracting a younger, highly educated population.
However, property in San Francisco is infamously pricey, putting it well out of reach of most younger buyers, who must also contend with living costs almost 83% above the US average. Realtor puts the median sold home value at a whopping $1.3 million (£1.1m), far and away the highest median we’ve seen so far. That being said, the average household income for San Franciscans is $121,826 (£100.7k), nearly twice the national average.
With such a large theoretical budget to work with, house hunters can expect to find some truly beautiful and historic properties, like this 1943 three-bed, two-bath home, listed with Coldwell Banker Realty. Gorgeously renovated to include every modern amenity, this powder-blue property offers 1,588 square feet of space, as well as a brand-new wooden back deck with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a garden and a spacious garage.
The home’s main storey features a spacious open-plan living room with brand-new carpet and a set of sliding glass doors out onto the deck. The living room flows naturally into the elegant dining room, then on to the shiny new kitchen, which boasts stainless steel appliances and white marble countertops. Large windows and multiple skylights flood the space with natural light. Completing the main storey are two bedrooms and a full bath, while the third bedroom and second bath are housed on the lower level, along with a bonus room.
With sandy beaches, tropical flowers and glorious weather year round, it’s no wonder that Honolulu is considered an island paradise. Hawaii’s capital attracts thousands of tourists every year for surfing and the sun, and many more want to make the city their permanent home. From urban high-rises to suburban bungalows, this gateway city to Hawaii’s island chain offers a wide assortment of properties… for those who can afford them.
There is a very costly reality attached to living in this Pacific Ocean paradise. Because most consumer goods have to be delivered to Hawaii either by boat or by plane, it’s no great surprise that the cost of living in Honolulu is 86% above the US average. However, with a median household income of just $73,434 (£60.7k), Hawaiian residents are certainly better equipped to handle these hiked-up prices than your average American.
Fortunately, housing plays a less substantial role in Honolulu’s cost of living equation than in some of the other locations we’ve looked at, with a median list price of $676,000 (£552k), according to Realtor. Currently on the market for under the median at $665,000, this two-bed, two-bath condominium offers 1,051 square feet of living space in a stylish urban high-rise.
The condo boasts a large open-plan living area, flooded with light from the set of sliding glass doors, which lead out onto a private, covered balcony. The kitchen is sleek and modern, with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a large cut-out overlooking the living area. Both bedrooms are bright and spacious, with large windows and plenty of storage space.
The beating heart of America’s theatrical and cultural scene, Manhattan is considered by many to be an artistic mecca to which millions make pilgrimages each year. With multiple top universities, countless museums and galleries and, of course, the world-famous Broadway, this small island has expanded into an international epicentre of science, commerce, culture and art. What's more, it has attracted an enormous and diverse population from across the country and around the globe.
However, because it’s an island, space in Manhattan is at a premium, and while the city has spilt over the banks of the Hudson into its four adjacent boroughs, many purists believe that proper Manhattan is the place to be. That's if they can possibly afford living expenses fixed at a jaw-dropping 137.6% above the average for the rest of the country. The most significant portion of these expenses is housing, with the median sold home value calculated at $1.2 million (£1m), the second-highest in the country.
Like any large city, the vast majority of Manhattan’s residents are renters. However, for those who can afford to buy, there are some real architectural gems out there. This gorgeous two-bed, two-bath apartment dates to 1959 and is just brimming with old New York charm. Original parquet floors and crown moulding are visible throughout the home, which overlooks a quiet, leafy street in New York’s Upper East Side.
The home’s listing does not indicate its square footage, but by New York apartment standards it appears pretty spacious, based on its footprint. The large, light-filled living room flows seamlessly into the formal dining room, off of which can be found the admittedly somewhat dated galley kitchen. The home is currently on the market for under the median sold home value at $1.1 million (£861k), so there may well be a bit of remodelling room left in the budget of some lucky buyer.
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