1. San Francisco, California
San Francisco remains one of the most notoriously expensive cities in America. The median home price sits around $1.29 million, though many neighborhoods soar far higher into the luxury range.
Housing is the biggest driver of the city’s enormous living costs. The average home value pushes toward $1.35 million, and rentals in top neighborhoods consistently rank among the highest in the state.
A family of four needs an estimated $366,829 annual salary to live comfortably here — making San Francisco the second most expensive city for families nationwide, trailing only San Jose.
With a median income of $126,730, many residents feel the widening gap between local wages and the actual cost of day-to-day life. This financial strain touches nearly every demographic in the city.
Still, demand never truly fades. San Francisco’s world-renowned tech scene, cultural richness, and scenic location continue attracting people willing to pay a premium to live in the heart of the Bay Area.
