Rankings

25 Most Expensive Cities in America

The priciest cities in the United States by composite Cost of Living Index, based on housing costs and rental prices from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Data Updated: March 2026

#1 Most Expensive

Cupertino

Index: 366

Avg Home Premium

+$1,331,745

above national average

#1 Median Home

$2,000,001

National: $426,735

Full Rankings

#	City	Index	Home Value	Rent	Income
1	Cupertino, CA	366	$2,000,001	$3,501	$231,139
2	Manhattan Beach, CA	366	$2,000,001	$3,492	$193,904
3	Los Altos, CA	366	$2,000,001	$3,501	$250,001
4	Saratoga, CA	366	$2,000,001	$3,501	$241,348
5	Palo Alto, CA	361	$2,000,001	$3,328	$220,408
6	Newport Beach, CA	356	$2,000,001	$3,146	$158,461
7	Menlo Park, CA	356	$2,000,001	$3,156	$206,588
8	Los Gatos, CA	351	$2,000,001	$2,969	$207,891
9	Beverly Hills, CA	346	$2,000,001	$2,805	$127,979
10	Burlingame, CA	342	$2,000,001	$2,643	$168,832
11	Mountain View, CA	341	$1,927,400	$2,975	$179,917
12	Foster City, CA	336	$1,774,500	$3,501	$193,633
13	Sunnyvale, CA	329	$1,816,600	$3,065	$181,862
14	Redwood City, CA	329	$1,838,800	$2,959	$150,840
15	Danville, CA	310	$1,583,300	$3,501	$223,206
16	Santa Monica, CA	307	$1,810,200	$2,338	$109,739
17	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA	304	$1,541,400	$3,501	$175,307
18	San Mateo, CA	295	$1,563,200	$3,079	$152,669
19	Santa Clara, CA	288	$1,527,900	$2,985	$173,670
20	Campbell, CA	284	$1,550,000	$2,751	$147,128
21	Pleasanton, CA	277	$1,432,300	$3,017	$186,206
22	Encinitas, CA	273	$1,466,000	$2,730	$150,471
23	McLean, VA	269	$1,304,900	$3,376	$250,001
24	San Ramon, CA	263	$1,359,100	$2,916	$197,358
25	Santa Barbara, CA	261	$1,466,400	$2,302	$101,672

📊 Methodology: Rankings use our composite Cost of Living Index. Only cities with population > 30,000 are included. See full methodology →