Cost of Living by City 2026
How far does your paycheck stretch? We ranked 61 major US cities by composite cost of living using the C2ER/ACCRA index, where the US average equals 100. A score of 150 means living costs are 50% above average; a score of 80 means 20% below. Housing carries the largest weight.
Updated June 2026 · Editorial standards
Most expensive
187
New York City
Most affordable
67
Fargo, ND
US average
100
national baseline
Highest vs lowest gap
120
index points
City rankings
Top 10 most expensive and top 10 most affordable cities by cost of living index.
Top 10 — most expensive
Top 10 — most affordable
City heatmap
Each tile is one city, sorted most affordable to most expensive. Green = cheaper, red = pricier. Tap or hover a tile — details appear below the map.
Tap or hover any city tile to see its figures here.
Full city comparison
Click any column header to sort all 61 cities.
| Tier | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | NYNew York City | New York | 187 | +87 | Very High |
| #2 | CASan Francisco | California | 185 | +85 | Very High |
| #3 | HIHonolulu | Hawaii | 178 | +78 | Very High |
| #4 | CASan Jose | California | 173 | +73 | Very High |
| #5 | DCWashington D.C. | District of Columbia | 159 | +59 | Very High |
| #6 | MABoston | Massachusetts | 157 | +57 | Very High |
| #7 | CALos Angeles | California | 152 | +52 | Very High |
| #8 | WASeattle | Washington | 148 | +48 | High |
| #9 | CASan Diego | California | 144 | +44 | High |
| #10 | CAOakland | California | 142 | +42 | High |
Methodology
Figures use the C2ER/ACCRA Cost of Living Index (Council for Community and Economic Research, 2024 data). The index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services across US urban areas, with the US national average set to a base of 100.
The composite is built from six weighted categories: housing (the largest weight), groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services. Housing dominates — cities with extreme rent score far above 100 even when other categories are moderate.
An index of 150 means costs are 50% above the US average; an index of 80 means 20% below. To convert salaries between cities: target salary = (current salary × destination index) ÷ origin index.
Coverage spans 61 major metro areas. Figures are quarterly composites and will vary by neighborhood and household. For income comparisons, pair this data with our Average Salary by State study.
Frequently asked questions
What city has the highest cost of living in the US?▾
New York City tops the list at an index of 187, meaning it is 87% more expensive than the US average. Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment averages $3,800–$4,500 in Manhattan. San Francisco (185) and Honolulu (178) are close behind, driven by extreme housing costs.
What is the most affordable major US city?▾
Among the 61 cities in this dataset, McAllen TX scores 69 — 31% below the US average. Median rent for a 1-bedroom is around $800/month. Huntsville AL (68) and Fargo ND (67) also rank among the most affordable, offering low housing, grocery, and transportation costs.
What does a cost of living index of 100 mean?▾
An index of 100 means costs are exactly at the US average. Riverside CA (index 100) serves as the approximate baseline in this dataset. A score of 120 means 20% more expensive than average; a score of 80 means 20% cheaper. The index is a composite of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.
How much do I need to earn in NYC vs Dallas?▾
To maintain the same lifestyle as a $70,000 salary in Dallas (index 104), you would need approximately $125,000 in NYC (index 187). The formula is: target salary = (desired salary × target city index) / origin city index. Use our Salary Calculator to estimate take-home pay after taxes.
Which cities have the best income-to-cost ratio?▾
Cities with above-average salaries but moderate cost of living scores offer the best value: Minneapolis (strong healthcare and finance salaries, CoL index 116), Raleigh (growing tech sector, CoL 101), and Austin (major tech hub, CoL 120). Compare with our Average Salary by State data to see the full picture.
Compare what your salary is really worth
Cost of living only tells half the story. Enter your salary to see take-home pay and how far it goes.
Open the Salary Calculator →Disclaimer: KalkWise data assets are for general informational purposes and do not constitute financial advice. Cost of living figures are composite estimates from the C2ER/ACCRA 2024 index and will vary by neighborhood, household size, and lifestyle. Consult a qualified professional before making relocation or financial decisions.