{"id":98872,"date":"2026-05-19T12:00:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T19:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=98872"},"modified":"2026-05-26T10:33:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T17:33:49","slug":"most-expensive-cities-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/most-expensive-cities-in-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Most Expensive Cities in the U.S. in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><b>Key takeaways<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/11203\/CA\/Los-Angeles\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Los Angeles<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/517\/CA\/Anaheim\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Anaheim<\/b><\/a><b>, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16904\/CA\/San-Diego\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>San Diego<\/b><\/a><b> are the most expensive cities in the U.S.,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with sky-high prices leaving fewer than 10% of homes affordable to locals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most expensive places to live are all located on the coasts\u2014led by California, which accounts for six of the top ten.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House prices skyrocketed during the pandemic and have only recently started to level out, straining budgets and putting a lid on demand in many places.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bustling neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and an abundance of amenities are hallmarks of America\u2019s largest cities\u2014but in some places, these benefits come at a cost. All of the country\u2019s most expensive major housing markets are concentrated on the coasts, where limited space and tight supply have long pushed prices upward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prior to the pandemic, though, costs were more manageable. It wasn\u2019t until after the pandemic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/housing-market-records-2021\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing boom<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that it became largely unaffordable to buy a home in many coastal cities, contributing to a prolonged slowdown that is only <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/housing-market-update-pending-home-sales-jump\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">just starting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to recover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, which cities are the most expensive? When will affordability improve? Let\u2019s discover the most expensive cities to live in and buy a house in 2026, where housing can be exceptionally expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"datawrapper-vis-ywkQP\" style=\"min-height: 822px;\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/ywkQP\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-ywkQP\"><\/script><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/ywkQP\/full.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<h2><b>The 10 most expensive cities in the U.S.<\/b><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Los Angeles, CA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>2.0% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +0.8% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $97,775<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$930,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,682<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$221,646<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 68.0%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">52%<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Los Angeles is a city of sunshine, glamour, and affluence, drawing people in with its beaches and Hollywood dreams. But those perks come at a cost: Buying a home will set you back close to $1 million, and often more depending on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/los-angeles-ca-neighborhoods\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neighborhood<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This lack of affordability is one reason L.A. has lost <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-04-09\/los-angeles-population-shrinking\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tens of thousands of residents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 2024. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add in the necessity of a car and pricey groceries, plus incomes that largely fall short, and Los Angeles becomes America\u2019s most expensive place to live. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/iee.psu.edu\/news\/blog\/how-los-angeles-wildfires-expose-climate-risks-and-solutions\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate risks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, namely heatwaves, drought, and wildfires, are also playing a <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/publichealth.lacounty.gov\/eh\/safety\/extreme-heat-climate-change.htm\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">growing role<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in daily life. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/11203\/CA\/Los-Angeles\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Los Angeles homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/california\/los-angeles-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Los Angeles houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/California\/Los-Angeles\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lost Angeles apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-98875\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619.jpg\" alt=\"most-expensive-cities-in-the-us-2\" width=\"945\" height=\"624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619-227x150.jpg 227w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619-955x630.jpg 955w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2183706705-e1740169521619-455x300.jpg 455w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Anaheim, CA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>6.6% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +1.7% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $126,178<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1.25 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,500<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $291,828<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 69.4%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">64% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anaheim is best known for Disneyland, but there\u2019s more to the city than castles and costumes. Pro sports teams, a bustling convention center, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anaheimchamber.org\/economic-impact-of-tourism\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">millions of annual visitors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sustain the local economy, ensuring there\u2019s always something going on besides parades down Main Street.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, with median sale prices topping $1 million and rent costs running above average, affordability has become a major challenge for locals\u2014one reason residents across Orange County are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/voiceofoc.org\/2026\/03\/orange-county-cities-grapple-with-rising-rents-tracking-evictions\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushing for rent control<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Daily expenses like groceries, entertainment, and transportation also run <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/cost-of-living-calculator\/orange-county-ca\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10-34%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> above the national average. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/517\/CA\/Anaheim\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anaheim homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/california\/anaheim-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anaheim houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/California\/Anaheim\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anaheim apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-89641 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"945\" height=\"622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242-768x506.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242-228x150.jpg 228w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242-957x630.jpg 957w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-177144765-e1740167782242-456x300.jpg 456w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. San Diego, CA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>7.2% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +2.6% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $115,304<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$930,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$3,033<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $221,807<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 57.7%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">47% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Diego is \u201cAmerica\u2019s Finest City\u201d for good reason. Surfing, craft breweries, fresh fish tacos, and pleasant year-round weather make for a generally <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sandiego.gov\/economic-development\/sandiego\/qualityoflife\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">great quality of life<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Biotech, military, and tourism power the job market.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the beachside dream comes at a cost\u2014namely, the third-most expensive housing market in the nation. Prices surged during the pandemic and have only recently begun to cool<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofsandiego.com\/business\/2024\/03\/16\/report-californias-minimum-wage-isnt-enough-to-keep-up-with-workers-living-costs\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofsandiego.com\/business\/2024\/03\/16\/report-californias-minimum-wage-isnt-enough-to-keep-up-with-workers-living-costs\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outpacing wages<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for years and are a major reason why San Diego remains one of the most expensive cities in the nation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16904\/CA\/San-Diego\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Diego homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/california\/san-diego-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Diego houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/California\/San-Diego\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Diego apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-80857 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"Lombard Street\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Collage-Maker-23-Feb-2023-01.55-PM.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. San Francisco, CA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>7.5% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +0.9% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $162,117<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1.73 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$3,950<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $405,307<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 75.0%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"font-style: inherit;\">Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">64% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Francisco pairs postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge with world-class amenities, all packaged in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/most-walkable-cities-in-the-us\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">walkable layout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, an eye-watering cost of living has made it a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kqed.org\/news\/12080889\/with-cost-of-living-rising-cuts-to-housing-programs-put-san-francisco-on-edge\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">difficult place<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for most residents to afford.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tech giants have transformed the quirky city into a haven for high-earning professionals, sending housing prices sky-high over the past 20 years. The AI boom has only intensified <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/san-francisco-luxury-home-prices-chatgpt\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">demand in the Bay Area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, helping SF regain its title as the most expensive housing market in the country. For those who can swing the cost, though, San Francisco\u2019s mix of innovation, culture, and scenic beauty makes the high price of entry feel like a fair trade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/17151\/CA\/San-Francisco\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Francisco homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/california\/san-francisco-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Francisco houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/California\/San-Francisco\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Francisco apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78812 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"San Jose neighborhood\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/People-Leaving-Seattle-for-San-Jose.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. San Jose, CA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>9.6% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +2.3% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $176,401<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1.65 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$3,100<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $389,327<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 66.2%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"font-style: inherit;\">Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">84% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jose sits in the heart of Silicon Valley, where tech giants feed a fast-paced economy and subsequent soaring living costs. The city has the second-most expensive housing market in the nation, and basic expenses like electricity and dining run 18-59% above average. The result is a place that can feel both full of opportunity and impossible to afford <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sanjosespotlight.com\/silicon-valley-tech-economy-is-hot-but-not-everyone-benefits\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for anyone<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but the tech crowd\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, San Jose\u2019s appeal is hard to deny. Dry weather, high-paying jobs, and well-maintained parks help make it a great place to call home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/17420\/CA\/San-Jose\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jose homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/california\/san-jose-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jose houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/California\/San-Jose\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jose apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-86561 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"Broadway shows\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/florian-wehde-iVW7mZPwd4g-unsplash.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. New York, NY<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>9.9% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +1.7% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$98,287<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$790,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$3,606<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $201,774<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 62.0%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b style=\"font-style: inherit;\">Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">86% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York City\u2019s miles of skyscrapers, around-the-clock buzz, and global appeal also come with sky-high prices. America\u2019s largest city is the sixth-most expensive, where buying can cost millions, rents <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/comptroller.nyc.gov\/reports\/spotlight-new-york-citys-rental-housing-market\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">often swallow<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> entire paychecks, and a casual night out can feel like a splurge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, New York\u2019s affordability varies widely depending on which borough you live in. If you\u2019re looking in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/35948\/NY\/Manhattan\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manhattan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for example, you\u2019ll find house prices in the millions and a cost of living 139% above the national average. On the other hand, further out in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/neighborhood\/43309\/NY\/New-York\/Queens\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Queens<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, housing costs get cut in half (although they are still often unaffordable).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/30749\/NY\/New-York\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/new-york\/new-york-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/New-York\/New-York\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-88788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647.jpg\" alt=\"providence-lake-front\" width=\"945\" height=\"643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647-1024x697.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647-220x150.jpg 220w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647-925x630.jpg 925w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1255275647-441x300.jpg 441w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Providence, RI<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>11.8% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +0.5% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$94,620<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$530,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,150<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $131,313<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 41.6%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A colonial city set on the Atlantic, Providence might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of the most expensive housing markets. But years of strong competition and tight supply have led to rapid price growth for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.golocalprov.com\/business\/ri-home-price-jump-up-again-providence-up-34-year-over-year\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buyers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.browndailyherald.com\/article\/2025\/02\/providence-named-the-least-affordable-us-city-for-renters-in-redfin-report\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">renters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014and it\u2019s showing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/economy\/articles\/summer-2026s-hottest-rental-market-120000487.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">little sign<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of slowing down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, homebuyers are dealing with prices more than 33% higher than they were in 2022\u2014more than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stacker.com\/stories\/rhode-island\/providence\/whats-happening-house-prices-providence-2026\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">three times<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the nationwide growth rate. Even so, Providence is full of charm and can be a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-living-in-providence-ri\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wonderful place to call home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with historic neighborhoods, walkable streets, and popular events like WaterFire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/15272\/RI\/Providence\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providence homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/rhode-island\/providence-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providence houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Rhode-Island\/Providence\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providence apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-81532\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629.jpg\" alt=\"boston-ma-skyline\" width=\"956\" height=\"636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629-947x630.jpg 947w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-56676629-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 956px) 100vw, 956px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Boston, MA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>13.5% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +2.8% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household incom<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$127,467<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$767,750<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$3,500<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $190,299<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 44.8%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">48% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston has been among the most expensive places to live in the U.S. for years, and 2026 is no different. A combination of limited space, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonindicators.org\/article-pages\/2025\/october\/how-many-homes\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insufficient homebuilding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and a strong job market centered around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.builtinboston.com\/articles\/biotech-companies-in-boston\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">biotechnology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> keeps demand high. As a result, both home prices and rents have risen faster than the median income for years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston\u2019s pricey housing has begun <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/outmigration-and-loss-of-talent\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">affecting migration trends<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with more long-time residents and young adults moving away in search of affordability. Regardless, the city can be a great place to live, with centuries-old parks, New England personalities, and a gorgeous waterfront.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/1826\/MA\/Boston\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/massachusetts\/boston-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Massachusetts\/Boston\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-90887\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960.jpg\" alt=\"riverside california\" width=\"945\" height=\"627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960-950x630.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/riverside-california-mission-inn-e1740168250960-452x300.jpg 452w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Riverside, CA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>13.6% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +2.2% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household incom<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$97,116<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$588,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,200<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $142,507<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 44.0%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riverside used to be an affordable refuge from pricey coastal cities, but rising demand has nudged up living costs at a fast clip for years. Housing is still less expensive than in Los Angeles, but the gap is shrinking. Annual incomes are also lower and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/business\/la-fi-inland-empire-jobs-20181128-story.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do not provide enough<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for many residents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adding to the costs, commuters who face long drives into nearby cities feel the pinch in gas prices\u2014especially so with the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Still, for many residents, the scenic mountain views, slower pace of life, and growing job market are worth the trade-off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/15935\/CA\/Riverside\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riverside homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/california\/riverside-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riverside houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/California\/Riverside\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riverside apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-88102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island.jpg\" alt=\"Springtime in Providence, Rhode Island\" width=\"945\" height=\"613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island-1024x665.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island-231x150.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island-970x630.jpg 970w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rhode-Island-462x300.jpg 462w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Nassau County, NY<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>14.2% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +2.1% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household incom<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$149,811<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$745,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unavailable<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $197,357<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 39.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">49% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nassau County is a large area in central Long Island that includes many historic cities like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/8468\/NY\/Hempstead\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hempstead<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/24185\/NY\/Massapequa\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Massapequa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Home to colonial architecture, quiet streets, sandy beaches, and bustling downtowns, it\u2019s no wonder locals love to live in the area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, the cost of living in Nassau County has become simply <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsday.com\/business\/long-island-cost-of-living-wallet-watch-j1bc2mvq\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">out of reach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for many, as competition for a very limited supply of housing has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.molloy.edu\/news\/rising-long-island-home-prices-nassau-hits-835,000-suffolk-700,000\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushed costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to unaffordable levels. Add in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heraldnews.com\/press-release\/story\/129475\/long-island-property-values-and-taxes-among-the-highest-in-the-nation\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high auxiliary costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like property taxes, and residents are grappling with serious expenses. Now, the area is the tenth-most expensive housing market in the nation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/county\/1974\/NY\/Nassau-County\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nassau County homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/new-york\/counties\/nassau-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nassau County houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/counties\/New-York\/Nassau\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nassau County apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why is housing so expensive?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three primary factors behind today\u2019s high house prices:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited housing supply<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strict zoning laws<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investor market share<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While zoning laws and investor market share play a role in today\u2019s house prices, the largest driver is a chronic inventory shortage. There aren\u2019t enough homes for people who want them, and not enough homebuilding to meet demand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This pattern <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/08\/22\/briefing\/us-housing-crisis.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">began<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during the Great Recession and was exacerbated during the pandemic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/housing-market-records-2021\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuying frenzy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, when homebuyers capitalized on ultra-low mortgage rates. Today, limited demand has put a lid on price growth, but it will take years before costs return to \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/return-to-normal-housing-2025\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">normal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>&gt;&gt; Read: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/why-are-houses-so-expensive\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b><i>Why Are Houses So Expensive?<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Methodology<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rankings are based on an April 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/income-needed-to-buy-home-declines\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Redfin analysis<\/a> of housing affordability across the 50 largest U.S. core-based statistical areas (\u201ccities,\u201d \u201dmetros\u201d).\u00a0 The analysis ranked cities on the share of home listings that were unaffordable to someone earning the area\u2019s median income. A home was considered \u201cunaffordable\u201d if its corresponding monthly payment was more than 30% of median monthly earnings, assuming a 20% down payment, typical taxes and fees, and a 30-year mortgage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All housing data came from a Redfin analysis of MLS and U.S. Census data. Rental data came from Zillow. Cost-of-living data came from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coli.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cost of Living Index (COLI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Council for Community and Economic Research. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost of living in Anaheim used Orange County data.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These cities offer just about everything\u2014but they come at a price. Explore the most expensive cities in the U.S. to live and buy a home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":559,"featured_media":98874,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276],"tags":[34529,34630,559,34453],"coauthors":[34342],"class_list":["post-98872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","tag-buying-faq","tag-homeownership-costs-and-benefits","tag-moving","tag-national"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Most Expensive Cities in the U.S. in 2025 | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These cities offer just about everything\u2014but they come at a price. 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