New York City

New York City is the most expensive city in the US to live in. You know, the city where a 600-square-foot flat must be shared by three people in order for the rent to be affordable. What you spend in any city is all about location, location, location. That iconic real estate statement is taken to its logical conclusion in New York.

Manhattan is without a doubt the most costly of New York City's five boroughs. It is also the most expensive place in the United States to reside. Manhattan's cost of living is 145.7 percent more than the national average, which is reflected in its exorbitant rent.

Relocating to Brooklyn was formerly thought to be a realistic choice for individuals who couldn't afford Manhattan. While Brooklyn is a less costly option, it has also become a desirable area to reside in its own way. Its cost of living is currently greater than that of Washington or Seattle. Queens has now become a popular destination for New Yorkers who cannot afford to live in Manhattan or Brooklyn. Even that method, though, isn't exactly sustainable when you consider Queens' rent is still three times the national average. Life is costly in New York City, no matter where you reside. That reality, however, has done little to dissuade the 8.3 million people who live there.

Cost of Living: 145.7% higher than US average