California Dominates Top 25 List of Highest-Cost U.S. Cities

It comes as no shock that cities in California would lead the latest ranking by U.S. News and World Report as the most costly places to reside in the nation.

When considering costly cities, San Francisco and Los Angeles typically top the list. However, surprisingly, Vallejo and Fairfield also rank high, coming in 10th place combined, even surpassing New York City.

Noelle Waring and Aleksie Von Disterlo, residing in Vallejo, initially found it surprising to learn that their area has a higher cost of living compared to New York. However, they now understand the rationale behind it. “With San Francisco being as expensive as it is, individuals are forced to seek housing in surrounding areas such as Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Concord, ultimately leading to increased living costs in places like Vallejo,” Von Disterlo explained.

The U.S. News and World Report ranking factored in median gross rent and annual housing expenses, among other criteria, to assess the level of wealth needed for comfortable living in different areas.

Given the skyrocketing housing costs, many struggle to make ends meet.

“It’s incredibly pricey. Even with a full-time job – I’m employed as an Amazon driver – it’s challenging to cover all the bills,” remarked Von Disterlo.

San Diego took the top spot, with Los Angeles following closely behind. San Francisco secured the sixth position, while Santa Rosa claimed the eighth spot on the list. Waring and Von Disterlo expressed concern about being priced out of California altogether, considering relocating to more affordable and scenic options like Montana or Oregon.

Out of the 25 cities listed, 12 were located in California, with San Jose occupying the 14th position.

The cities, ranked from most to least expensive by U.S. News and World Report, are as follows:

1. San Diego
2. Los Angeles
3. Honolulu
4. Miami
5. Santa Barbara
6. San Francisco
7. Salinas
8. Santa Rosa
9. San Juan (Puerto Rico)
10. Vallejo/Fairfield
11. New York
12. Boston
13. Seattle
14. San Jose
15. Sacramento
16. Denver
17. Stockton
18. Washington D.C.
19. Modesto
20. Fresno
21. Portland (Oregon)
22. New Haven (Connecticut)
23. Boulder (Colorado)
24. Trenton (New Jersey)
25. Eugene (Oregon).