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

Los Altos

Index: 624

Avg Home Premium

+$2,105,802

above national average

#1 Median Home

$4,566,299

National: $303,400

Full Rankings

#	City	Index	Home Value	Rent	Income
1	Los Altos, CA	624	$4,566,299	$3,623	$250,001
2	Saratoga, CA	574	$4,080,286	$4,200	$241,348
3	Beverly Hills, CA	520	$3,580,741	$4,400	$127,979
4	Newport Beach, CA	515	$3,569,308	$4,075	$158,461
5	Palo Alto, CA	511	$3,619,229	$3,328	$220,408
6	Manhattan Beach, CA	461	$3,159,767	$3,492	$193,904
7	Cupertino, CA	458	$3,121,347	$3,671	$231,139
8	Menlo Park, CA	416	$2,778,631	$3,156	$206,588
9	Burlingame, CA	400	$2,694,998	$2,643	$168,832
10	Los Gatos, CA	384	$2,554,572	$2,969	$207,891
11	Sunnyvale, CA	335	$2,115,823	$3,065	$181,862
12	Mountain View, CA	320	$1,998,422	$2,975	$179,917
13	Danville, CA	315	$1,870,378	$3,570	$223,206
14	Foster City, CA	315	$1,861,130	$3,613	$193,633
15	Campbell, CA	311	$1,937,114	$2,751	$147,128
16	Redwood City, CA	305	$1,839,240	$2,959	$150,840
17	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA	304	$1,783,585	$3,598	$175,307
18	Santa Clara, CA	298	$1,742,578	$3,673	$173,670
19	Santa Monica, CA	291	$1,684,070	$3,500	$109,739
20	Santa Barbara, CA	289	$1,797,687	$2,302	$101,672
21	San Clemente, CA	289	$1,686,268	$3,260	$134,735
22	San Mateo, CA	283	$1,638,485	$3,079	$152,669
23	Pleasanton, CA	274	$1,564,887	$3,017	$186,206
24	Fremont, CA	268	$1,511,226	$3,012	$176,350
25	Redondo Beach, CA	267	$1,473,991	$3,523	$144,588

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