US City Cost of Living Comparison 2025-2026: 15 Major Cities Ranked
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
All figures are estimates based on publicly available data. Use the linked calculators to model your own situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive US city to live in 2025-2026?▼
San Francisco and Manhattan top the C2ER cost-of-living index at roughly 164 and 158 (US average = 100), driven almost entirely by housing costs 2-2.4x the national average.
What is the cheapest major US city?▼
Among major metros, Kansas City, San Antonio, and Columbus have the lowest composite indexes (87-90), with housing around 79-83% of the national average.
How much more does it cost to live in NYC vs. a midwest city?▼
A family of three renting a 2-bedroom spends roughly $4,800-$5,600/month in New York versus $3,300-$3,900/month in cities like Dallas or Columbus — a difference of about 30-45%, mostly housing.
Why should I compare after-tax cost of living instead of just prices?▼
Because take-home pay is what you spend. No-income-tax states like Texas can add 4-5% to your effective income versus income-tax states, which changes the real comparison between cities with similar price indexes.