Key takeaways
- Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Diego are the costliest cities within the U.S., with sky-high costs leaving fewer than 10% of properties inexpensive to locals.
- The costliest locations to dwell are all situated on the coasts—led by California, which accounts for six of the highest ten.
- Home costs skyrocketed throughout the pandemic and have solely lately began to stage out, straining budgets and placing a lid on demand in lots of locations.
Bustling neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and an abundance of facilities are hallmarks of America’s largest cities—however in some locations, these advantages come at a value. All the nation’s most costly main housing markets are focused on the coasts, the place restricted house and tight provide have lengthy pushed costs upward.
Previous to the pandemic, although, prices had been extra manageable. It wasn’t till after the pandemic housing boom that it grew to become largely unaffordable to purchase a house in lots of coastal cities, contributing to a protracted slowdown that’s solely just starting to recuperate.
So, which cities are the costliest? When will affordability enhance? Let’s uncover the costliest cities to dwell in and purchase a home in 2026, the place housing might be exceptionally costly.
The ten most costly cities within the U.S.
1. Los Angeles, CA
2.0% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +0.8% yr over yr
- Median family revenue: $97,775
- Median sale value: $930,000
- Median hire value: $2,682
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $221,646
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 68.0%
- Value of residing: 52% increased than the nationwide common
Los Angeles is a metropolis of sunshine, glamour, and affluence, drawing individuals in with its seashores and Hollywood goals. However these perks come at a value: Shopping for a house will set you again near $1 million, and sometimes extra relying on the neighborhood. This lack of affordability is one motive L.A. has misplaced tens of thousands of residents since 2024.
Add within the necessity of a automobile and dear groceries, plus incomes that largely fall brief, and Los Angeles turns into America’s most costly place to dwell. Climate risks, specifically heatwaves, drought, and wildfires, are additionally taking part in a growing role in every day life.
Los Angeles homes for sale | Los Angeles houses for rent | Lost Angeles apartments for rent
2. Anaheim, CA
6.6% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +1.7% yr over yr
- Median family revenue: $126,178
- Median sale value: $1.25 million
- Median hire value: $2,500
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $291,828
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 69.4%
- Value of residing: 64% increased than the nationwide common
Anaheim is greatest recognized for Disneyland, however there’s extra to town than castles and costumes. Professional sports activities groups, a bustling conference middle, and millions of annual visitors maintain the native economic system, making certain there’s at all times one thing occurring moreover parades down Most important Road.
Nonetheless, with median sale costs topping $1 million and hire prices working above common, affordability has turn into a serious problem for locals—one motive residents throughout Orange County are pushing for rent control. Each day bills like groceries, leisure, and transportation additionally run 10-34% above the nationwide common.
Anaheim homes for sale | Anaheim houses for rent | Anaheim apartments for rent
3. San Diego, CA
7.2% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +2.6% yr over yr
- Median family revenue: $115,304
- Median sale value: $930,000
- Median hire value: $3,033
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $221,807
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 57.7%
- Value of residing: 47% increased than the nationwide common
San Diego is “America’s Best Metropolis” for good motive. Browsing, craft breweries, recent fish tacos, and nice year-round climate make for a typically great quality of life. Biotech, navy, and tourism energy the job market.
Nonetheless, the beachside dream comes at a value—specifically, the third-most costly housing market within the nation. Costs surged throughout the pandemic and have solely lately begun to chill. They’ve been outpacing wages for years and are a serious motive why San Diego stays probably the most costly cities within the nation.
San Diego homes for sale | San Diego houses for rent | San Diego apartments for rent
4. San Francisco, CA
7.5% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +0.9% yr over yr
- Median family revenue: $162,117
- Median sale value: $1.73 million
- Median hire value: $3,950
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $405,307
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 75.0%
- Value of residing: 64% increased than the nationwide common
San Francisco pairs postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge with world-class facilities, all packaged in a walkable layout. Nonetheless, an eye-watering price of residing has made it a difficult place for many residents to afford.
Tech giants have reworked the quirky metropolis right into a haven for high-earning professionals, sending housing costs sky-high over the previous 20 years. The AI growth has solely intensified demand in the Bay Area, serving to SF regain its title as the costliest housing market within the nation. For many who can swing the price, although, San Francisco’s mixture of innovation, tradition, and scenic magnificence makes the excessive value of entry really feel like a good commerce.
San Francisco homes for sale | San Francisco houses for rent | San Francisco apartments for rent
5. San Jose, CA
9.6% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +2.3% yr over yr
- Median family revenue: $176,401
- Median sale value: $1.65 million
- Median hire value: $3,100
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $389,327
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 66.2%
- Value of residing: 84% increased than the nationwide common
San Jose sits within the coronary heart of Silicon Valley, the place tech giants feed a fast-paced economic system and subsequent hovering residing prices. The town has the second-most costly housing market within the nation, and primary bills like electrical energy and eating run 18-59% above common. The result’s a spot that may really feel each filled with alternative and unattainable to afford for anyone however the tech crowd
Nonetheless, San Jose’s attraction is difficult to disclaim. Dry climate, high-paying jobs, and well-maintained parks assist make it an excellent place to name house.
San Jose homes for sale | San Jose houses for rent | San Jose apartments for rent
6. New York, NY
9.9% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +1.7% yr over yr
- Median family revenue: $98,287
- Median sale value: $790,000
- Median hire value: $3,606
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $201,774
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 62.0%
- Value of residing: 86% increased than the nationwide common
New York Metropolis’s miles of skyscrapers, around-the-clock buzz, and international attraction additionally include sky-high costs. America’s largest metropolis is the sixth-most costly, the place shopping for can price hundreds of thousands, rents often swallow total paychecks, and an off-the-cuff night time out can really feel like a splurge.
Nonetheless, New York’s affordability varies broadly relying on which borough you reside in. In case you’re trying in Manhattan, for instance, you’ll discover home costs within the hundreds of thousands and a value of residing 139% above the nationwide common. However, additional out in Queens, housing prices get lower in half (though they’re nonetheless usually unaffordable).
New York homes for sale | New York houses for rent | New York apartments for rent
7. Windfall, RI
11.8% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +0.5% yr over yr
- Median family revenue: $94,620
- Median sale value: $530,000
- Median hire value: $2,150
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $131,313
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 41.6%
- Value of residing: 11% increased than the nationwide common
A colonial metropolis set on the Atlantic, Windfall may not be the primary place that involves thoughts when pondering of the costliest housing markets. However years of robust competitors and tight provide have led to speedy value progress for buyers and renters—and it’s exhibiting little sign of slowing down.
For instance, homebuyers are coping with costs greater than 33% increased than they had been in 2022—greater than three times the nationwide progress charge. Even so, Windfall is stuffed with attraction and generally is a wonderful place to call home, with historic neighborhoods, walkable streets, and well-liked occasions like WaterFire.
Providence homes for sale | Providence houses for rent | Providence apartments for rent
8. Boston, MA
13.5% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +2.8% yr over yr
- Median family income: $127,467
- Median sale value: $767,750
- Median hire value: $3,500
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $190,299
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 44.8%
- Value of residing: 48% increased than the nationwide common
Boston has been among the many most costly locations to dwell within the U.S. for years, and 2026 isn’t any completely different. A mix of restricted house, insufficient homebuilding, and a robust job market centered round biotechnology retains demand excessive. In consequence, each house costs and rents have risen quicker than the median revenue for years.
Boston’s dear housing has begun affecting migration trends, with extra long-time residents and younger adults transferring away in quest of affordability. Regardless, town generally is a excellent place to dwell, with centuries-old parks, New England personalities, and a stunning waterfront.
Boston homes for sale | Boston houses for rent | Boston apartments for rent
9. Riverside, CA
13.6% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +2.2% yr over yr
- Median family income: $97,116
- Median sale value: $588,000
- Median hire value: $2,200
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $142,507
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 44.0%
- Value of residing: 16% increased than the nationwide common
Riverside was once an inexpensive refuge from dear coastal cities, however rising demand has nudged up residing prices at a quick clip for years. Housing remains to be inexpensive than in Los Angeles, however the hole is shrinking. Annual incomes are additionally decrease and do not provide enough for a lot of residents.
Including to the prices, commuters who face lengthy drives into close by cities really feel the pinch in gasoline costs—particularly so with the extended battle within the Center East. Nonetheless, for a lot of residents, the scenic mountain views, slower tempo of life, and rising job market are well worth the trade-off.
Riverside homes for sale | Riverside houses for rent | Riverside apartments for rent
10. Nassau County, NY
14.2% of properties inexpensive on space’s median revenue | +2.1% yr over yr
- Median family income: $149,811
- Median sale value: $745,000
- Median hire value: Unavailable
- Revenue wanted to afford median-priced house: $197,357
- Share of revenue wanted to afford a typical house: 39.5%
- Value of residing: 49% increased than the nationwide common
Nassau County is a big space in central Lengthy Island that features many historic cities like Hempstead and Massapequa. House to colonial structure, quiet streets, sandy seashores, and bustling downtowns, it’s no surprise locals like to dwell within the space.
Sadly, the price of residing in Nassau County has turn into merely out of reach for a lot of, as competitors for a really restricted provide of housing has pushed costs to unaffordable ranges. Add in high auxiliary costs like property taxes, and residents are grappling with severe bills. Now, the world is the tenth-most costly housing market within the nation.
Nassau County homes for sale | Nassau County houses for rent | Nassau County apartments for rent
Why is housing so costly?
There are three major components behind as we speak’s excessive home costs:
- Restricted housing provide
- Strict zoning legal guidelines
- Investor market share
Whereas zoning legal guidelines and investor market share play a job in as we speak’s home costs, the biggest driver is a continual stock scarcity. There aren’t sufficient properties for individuals who need them, and never sufficient homebuilding to fulfill demand.
This sample began throughout the Nice Recession and was exacerbated throughout the pandemic homebuying frenzy, when homebuyers capitalized on ultra-low mortgage charges. As we speak, restricted demand has put a lid on value progress, however it should take years earlier than prices return to “normal.”
>> Learn: Why Are Houses So Expensive?
Methodology
Rankings are primarily based on an April 2026 Redfin evaluation of housing affordability throughout the 50 largest U.S. core-based statistical areas (“cities,” ”metros”). The evaluation ranked cities on the share of house listings that had been unaffordable to somebody incomes the world’s median revenue. A house was thought-about “unaffordable” if its corresponding month-to-month fee was greater than 30% of median month-to-month earnings, assuming a 20% down fee, typical taxes and costs, and a 30-year mortgage.
All housing information got here from a Redfin evaluation of MLS and U.S. Census information. Rental information got here from Zillow. Value-of-living information got here from The Cost of Living Index (COLI) from the Council for Neighborhood and Financial Analysis. Value of residing in Anaheim used Orange County information.
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