Places with the highest cost of living

The following information is provided by Graphiq and CareerTrends.

by Ben Taylor

Shutterstock

You probably know someone with a tech job in San Francisco or an advertising gig in New York. She eats at world-class restaurants, travels to foreign countries on business and boasts a LinkedIn profile sparkling with brand names and blockbuster deals. But what gets under your skin most is her salary, which rumors peg more than 50 percent higher than yours.

It’s enough to make any American envious — until you factor in the cost of living.

When adjusted for housing, food, transportation, childcare and other necessities, that six-figure paycheck leaves little left over. And just because your friend dines at Eleven Madison Park for once-per-year business dinners doesn’t mean she can afford a single entrée on her own dime.

At CareerTrends, part of the Graphiq network, we turned to the Economic Policy Institute to rank the 50 metros with the highest cost of living. A metro, or metropolitan statistical area, is defined by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. Put simply, a “metro” must have a core central area with more than 50,000 people, as well as social and economic integration with nearby areas, measured by commuting ties.

For each metro on this list, we’ve broken down the overall cost of maintaining a secure but modest living in that area, highlighting categories like childcare, food and housing. We’ll list cost estimates for both single and married people, and visualize expenses for families ranging from zero to four children. We’ll also compare each metro’s costs to the cost of living for both the state and country at large, broken down by expense types.

The metros on the list are ranked by an overall cost of living index, a single percentage comparing each metro to the nation at large. The index takes into account every cost category and compares the overall figure to the national average. For example, a metro with a 50 percent index is 50 percent more expensive than the nation as a whole.

We’ll run down the list from No. 50, concluding with the most expensive metros of all — yes, places even pricier than the Big Apple or the City by the Bay.

A previous version of this list rounded the cost of living index percentages to the nearest whole number, resulting in many ties. The list has been updated with percentages rounded to the nearest tenth, which changed the order of the list slightly. The overall list composition and order of the top 10 metros remain unchanged.

#50. Worcester, Massachusetts

Overall Cost of Living Index: 11.2% above the national average
Total Population: 924,722

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,493
Married Couple: $3,517
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,530
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,131

#49. Springfield, Massachusetts

Overall Cost of Living Index: 11.5% above the national average
Total Population: 626,775

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,533
Married Couple: $3,532
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,538
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,139

#48. Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Overall Cost of Living Index: 11.7% above the national average
Total Population: 163,658

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,259
Married Couple: $3,211
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,574
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,175

Note that for a few metros on this list — including Eau Claire — the cost of living with zero children is actually less than the national average. But with all family sizes included, these metros are indeed more expensive than the nation, on average.

#47. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 12.2% above the national average
Total Population: 1,135,667

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,337
Married Couple: $3,168
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,970
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,487

#46. Rochester, Minnesota

Overall Cost of Living Index: 12.3% above the national average
Total Population: 210,004

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,405
Married Couple: $3,355
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,610
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,203

#45. Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 12.3%* above the national average
Total Population: 2,197,422

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,669
Married Couple: $3,702
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,232
Married Couple with Two Children: $5,775

*Note that Rochester, Minnesota and this metro have the same cost of living index. We broke the tie by looking at the monthly cost for a married couple.

#44. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wisconsin

Overall Cost of Living Index: 13% above the national average
Total Population: 1,565,368

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,342
Married Couple: $3,359
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,764
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,343

#43. Ocean City, New Jersey

Overall Cost of Living Index: 14.1% above the national average
Total Population: 96,286

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,472
Married Couple: $3,628
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,455
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,114

#42. Vallejo-Fairfield, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 14.2% above the national average
Total Population: 421,624

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,669
Married Couple: $3,758
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,336
Married Couple with Two Children: $5,820

#41. Seattle-Bellevue, Washington

Overall Cost of Living Index: 14.3% above the national average
Total Population: 3,557,037

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,677
Married Couple: $3,691
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,414
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,023

#40. Madison, Wisconsin

Overall Cost of Living Index: 14.4% above the national average
Total Population: 620,368

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,452
Married Couple: $3,388
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,776
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,271

#39. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, New Jersey

Overall Cost of Living Index: 14.5% above the national average
Total Population: 157,429

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,737
Married Couple: $3,831
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,554
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,202

#38. Baltimore-Towson, Maryland

Overall Cost of Living Index: 15.7% above the national average
Total Population: 2,753,396

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,833
Married Couple: $3,807
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,708
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,202

#37. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pennsylvania

Overall Cost of Living Index: 16.1% above the national average
Total Population: 6,015,336

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,814
Married Couple: $3,896
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,731
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,366

#36. Anchorage, Alaska

Overall Cost of Living Index: 16.4% above the national average
Total Population: 392,021

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,751
Married Couple: $3,799
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,463
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,295

#35. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia

Overall Cost of Living Index: 16.8% above the national average
Total Population: 1,697,898

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,056
Married Couple: $3,869
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,582
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,166

#34. Rochester, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 17.6% above the national average
Total Population: 1,082,578

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,398
Married Couple: $3,406
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,260
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,759

#33. Syracuse, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 17.7% above the national average
Total Population: 662,236

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,416
Married Couple: $3,334
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,221
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,747

#32. Norwich-New London, Connecticut

Overall Cost of Living Index: 18.1% above the national average
Total Population: 274,071

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,646
Married Couple: $3,562
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,940
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,484

#31. Binghamton, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 18.7% above the national average
Total Population: 249,261

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,420
Married Couple: $3,365
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,176
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,817

#30. Atlantic City-Hammonton, New Jersey

Overall Cost of Living Index: 19.8% above the national average
Total Population: 275,325

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,835
Married Couple: $3,923
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,731
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,336

#29. Los Angeles-Long Beach, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 19.9% above the national average
Total Population: 13,060,534

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,907
Married Couple: $3,959
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,769
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,157

#28. Utica-Rome, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 20.5% above the national average
Total Population: 298,273

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,576
Married Couple: $3,456
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,324
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,926

#27. Boulder, Colorado

Overall Cost of Living Index: 21.1% above the national average
Total Population: 305,166

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,826
Married Couple: $3,793
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,812
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,335

#26. Trenton-Ewing, New Jersey

Overall Cost of Living Index: 22.3% above the national average
Total Population: 369,526

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,037
Married Couple: $4,109
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,917
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,499

#25. Elmira, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 22.6% above the national average
Total Population: 88,681

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,418
Married Couple: $3,565
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,477
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,135

#24. Salinas, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 22.7% above the national average
Total Population: 424,927

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,022
Married Couple: $4,037
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,723
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,239

#23. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 22.9% above the national average
Total Population: 875,567

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,629
Married Couple: $3,596
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,545
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,033

#22. Fairbanks, Alaska

Overall Cost of Living Index: 23% above the national average
Total Population: 99,319

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,753
Married Couple: $3,950
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,737
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,570

#21. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 23.1% above the national average
Total Population: 3,183,143

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,037
Married Couple: $3,948
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,770
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,202

#20. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts

Overall Cost of Living Index: 23.3% above the national average
Total Population: 215,167

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,817
Married Couple: $3,765
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,097
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,676

#19. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 23.6% above the national average
Total Population: 491,790

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,923
Married Couple: $3,999
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,771
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,284

#18. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Connecticut

Overall Cost of Living Index: 24.3% above the national average
Total Population: 1,215,159

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,757
Married Couple: $3,887
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,269
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,802

#17. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 24.7% above the national average
Total Population: 431,555

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,265
Married Couple: $4,268
Single Parent with Two Children: $5,991
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,354

#16. Glens Falls, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 27.1% above the national average
Total Population: 128,298

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,564
Married Couple: $3,712
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,679
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,140

#15. Napa, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 27.3% above the national average
Total Population: 139,253

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,898
Married Couple: $4,103
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,035
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,470

#14. New Haven-Meriden, Connecticut

Overall Cost of Living Index: 27.4% above the national average
Total Population: 863,148

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,905
Married Couple: $3,998
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,441
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,938

#13. Bridgeport, Connecticut

Overall Cost of Living Index: 27.6% above the national average
Total Population: 934,215

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,777
Married Couple: $3,956
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,441
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,642

#12. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 29.8% above the national average
Total Population: 835,790

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,085
Married Couple: $4,202
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,212
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,613

#11. Kingston, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 30.2% above the national average
Total Population: 181,598

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,615
Married Couple: $3,756
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,851
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,339

#10. Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont

Overall Cost of Living Index: 31.6% above the national average
Total Population: 213,891

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,170
Married Couple: $4,256
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,553
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,081

#9. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 32.4% above the national average
Total Population: 267,203

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,192
Married Couple: $4,341
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,469
Married Couple with Two Children: $6,841

#8. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Massachusetts

Overall Cost of Living Index: 33.6% above the national average
Total Population: 4,650,876

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,280
Married Couple: $4,310
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,689
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,149

#7. Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 39.1% above the national average
Total Population: 670,242

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,079
Married Couple: $4,165
Single Parent with Two Children: $7,339
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,736

#6. Ithaca, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 39.5% above the national average
Total Population: 103,179

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $2,910
Married Couple: $4,166
Single Parent with Two Children: $7,159
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,717

#5. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 39.6% above the national average
Total Population: 1,898,457

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,449
Married Couple: $4,615
Single Parent with Two Children: $6,654
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,038

#4. New York City, New York

Overall Cost of Living Index: 49.4% above the national average
Total Population: 19,865,045

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,627
Married Couple: $4,605
Single Parent with Two Children: $7,795
Married Couple with Two Children: $8,227

#3. San Francisco, California

Overall Cost of Living Index: 52.9% above the national average
Total Population: 4,466,251

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,632
Married Couple: $5,104
Single Parent with Two Children: $7,404
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,649

#2. Honolulu, Hawaii

Overall Cost of Living Index: 53.2% above the national average
Total Population: 955,215

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,859
Married Couple: $4,867
Single Parent with Two Children: $7,440
Married Couple with Two Children: $7,841

#1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, District of Columbia

Overall Cost of Living Index: 63.5% above the national average
Total Population: 5,759,330

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living for:
Single Adult: $3,510
Married Couple: $4,362
Single Parent with Two Children: $8,669
Married Couple with Two Children: $8,874

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