$75K+ a Year Just to Get By: The Most Expensive U.S. Counties Ranked

The cost of living in the United States has surged in recent years. Due in part to pandemic-related supply constraints and rising demand, the consumer price index surpassed the Federal Reserve's 2% target rate in March 2021, and has remained above that threshold ever since. This historic inflation has had a tangible impact on millions of Americans.

Key Points

• Historic inflation in the COVID-19 era has driven the cost of living in the United States up by well over 20% in the last half decade.
• While rising prices have a direct impact on every American, consumer prices can vary considerably at the local level — and across the country, there are counties where consumers are paying far more than a typical American for the same goods and services.
• Consulting a professional advisor can help you achieve financial security and independence. Click here to get started now.

According to the latest available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, American households spend an average of $75,172 per year. These numbers reflect a 21% increase from the average annual household expenditure of $62,188 reported immediately before the outset of the ongoing inflationary period.

While marked increases in consumer prices have raised the cost of living for all Americans, the price of goods and services can vary considerably by geography, and some parts of the country are far more expensive to live in than others.

Using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most expensive U.S. counties to live in. The counties, including county equivalents and independent cities, on this list were selected using the latest available data on regional price parity, or RPP, a cost of living index. Supplemental data on median household income, median home value, and unemployment are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey.

Among the 50 counties and independent cities on this list, goods and services are anywhere from 11.6% to 32.6% higher than they are nationwide, on average. These counties are largely concentrated in coastal states. California alone is home to 15 counties on this list, and another 12 are located in either New Jersey or New York. (Here is a look at the most expensive states to live in.)

Higher costs in these places are often due to several closely related economic factors, including the fact that the vast majority of these counties are part of a major metropolitan area. In many U.S. cities, land is scarce and housing supply is relatively limited. These same places are also often major population centers where demand for housing is high. This interplay between supply and demand ultimately drives the price of housing up, and housing costs are a key component of the cost of living in any community. Among the counties on this list, median home values are anywhere from about 20% to over 300% higher than the national median. (Here is a look at the states where home prices are still going up.)

Most counties on this list are also home to high-income populations. Nationwide, the typical American household earns $77,719 per year. Meanwhile, in a majority of the most expensive counties, a typical household earns over $100,000 annually. Not only does a higher cost of living make some of these places prohibitively expensive for many lower-income Americans, but high incomes themselves also reinforce higher consumer prices. Generally, in high-income areas where residents have more disposable income, greater consumer spending increases competition for goods and services, which in turn pushes prices higher.

These are the most expensive U.S. counties to live in.

For years, the rapidly rising prices have been straining household budgets for millions of Americans. While no corner of the country was spared from the effects of inflation, there are specific places where long-standing, deeply entrenched supply and demand dynamics have pushed the cost of living well above what most Americans are accustomed to. In dozens of counties across the United States, the cost of living is over 10% higher than it is nationwide, on average.

• Estimated cost of living in county: 11.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $100,859 (29.8% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $559,700 (64.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 6.3% (1.1 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 85,095

• Estimated cost of living in county: 11.8% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $95,977 (23.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $735,700 (116.3% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 6.1% (0.9 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 443,975

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.0% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $159,674 (105.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $1,382,800 (306.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.5% (0.7 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,903,297

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.0% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $106,190 (36.6% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $640,500 (88.3% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.8% (0.4 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 192,299

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.1% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $87,760 (12.9% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $783,300 (130.2% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 7.0% (1.8 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 9,848,406

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.1% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $122,727 (57.9% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $566,500 (66.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.2% (in-line with national average)
• County population: 643,615

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.3% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $121,025 (55.7% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $631,600 (85.7% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.3% (1.9 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 75,110

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.3% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $92,859 (19.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $680,700 (100.1% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 6.2% (1.0 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 782,172

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.4% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $107,982 (38.9% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $644,600 (89.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.4% (0.8 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 834,648

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.4% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $84,905 (9.2% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $602,800 (77.2% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.7% (0.5 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 102,452

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.5% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $108,970 (40.2% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $838,800 (146.6% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.1% (0.1 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 136,070

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.5% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $126,779 (63.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $687,200 (102.0% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.2% (1.0 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,622,896

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $98,290 (26.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $658,500 (93.6% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.5% (0.3 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 492,734

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $135,960 (74.9% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $523,900 (54.0% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.8% (0.4 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 346,203

• Estimated cost of living in county: 12.7% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $106,287 (36.8% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $724,600 (113.0% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 6.5% (1.3 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 672,079

• Estimated cost of living in county: 13.2% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $146,982 (89.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $576,700 (69.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.6% (1.6 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 333,916

• Estimated cost of living in county: 13.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $114,678 (47.6% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $658,800 (93.7% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.5% (0.7 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 412,435

• Estimated cost of living in county: 13.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $126,497 (62.8% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $649,400 (90.9% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.9% (0.3 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 724,540

• Estimated cost of living in county: 13.7% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $123,715 (59.2% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $593,200 (74.4% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.5% (0.3 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 954,717

• Estimated cost of living in county: 14.0% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $104,264 (34.2% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $873,000 (156.6% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.8% (0.4 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,003,666

• Estimated cost of living in county: 14.1% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $106,255 (36.7% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $850,700 (150.1% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.3% (1.9 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 30,857

• Estimated cost of living in county: 14.3% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $128,733 (65.6% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $615,200 (80.8% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.8% (0.4 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,057,586

• Estimated cost of living in county: 15.0% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $125,727 (61.8% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $830,800 (144.2% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.9% (0.7 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 1,161,458

• Estimated cost of living in county: 15.1% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $102,285 (31.6% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $791,600 (132.7% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 6.2% (1.0 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 3,282,782

• Estimated cost of living in county: 15.2% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $178,707 (129.9% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $701,000 (106.1% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.2% (2.0 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 427,082

• Estimated cost of living in county: 15.4% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $84,961 (9.3% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $699,200 (105.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 7.0% (1.8 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 2,330,124

• Estimated cost of living in county: 15.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $134,929 (73.6% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $557,000 (63.7% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.2% (in-line with national average)
• County population: 510,375

• Estimated cost of living in county: 15.9% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $78,548 (1.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $889,700 (161.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 7.5% (2.3 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 2,646,306

• Estimated cost of living in city: 15.9% higher than national average
• Median household income in city: $132,774 (70.8% higher than national median)
• Median home value in city: $677,400 (99.1% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in city: 4.5% (0.7 ppt. lower than national average)
• City population: 24,478

• Estimated cost of living in county: 16.2% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $145,737 (87.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $674,000 (98.1% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.6% (1.6 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 368,283

• Estimated cost of living in county: 16.7% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $118,411 (52.4% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $638,400 (87.7% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 6.0% (0.8 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 996,888

• Estimated cost of living in county: 17.0% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $127,405 (63.9% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $448,000 (31.7% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.1% (1.1 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 97,988

• Estimated cost of living in county: 17.1% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $126,240 (62.4% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $1,057,400 (210.8% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.2% (in-line with national average)
• County population: 1,651,949

• Estimated cost of living in county: 17.5% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $150,113 (93.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $699,700 (105.7% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.0% (1.2 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,144,474

• Estimated cost of living in county: 17.5% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $86,250 (11.0% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: N/A
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: N/A
• County population: 43

• Estimated cost of living in county: 17.8% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $122,148 (57.2% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $811,200 (138.4% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.6% (0.6 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 2,262,713

• Estimated cost of living in county: 18.1% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $128,329 (65.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $539,500 (58.6% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.6% (0.6 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,525,680

• Estimated cost of living in county: 18.8% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $110,781 (42.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $466,100 (37.0% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.6% (1.6 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,695

• Estimated cost of living in county: 18.9% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $82,430 (6.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $723,800 (112.8% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.2% (2.0 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 81,840

• Estimated cost of living in city: 19.9% higher than national average
• Median household income in city: $113,638 (46.2% higher than national median)
• Median home value in city: $696,800 (104.8% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in city: 3.4% (1.8 ppt. lower than national average)
• City population: 156,788

• Estimated cost of living in city: 20.2% higher than national average
• Median household income in city: $154,734 (99.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in city: $1,005,400 (195.5% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in city: 6.3% (1.1 ppt. higher than national average)
• City population: 14,593

• Estimated cost of living in county: 20.3% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $113,702 (46.3% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $915,500 (169.1% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.3% (0.1 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 3,164,063

• Estimated cost of living in county: 20.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $143,408 (84.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $658,700 (93.6% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.8% (0.4 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 1,388,138

• Estimated cost of living in county: 22.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $81,675 (5.1% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $423,300 (24.4% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.3% (0.1 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 25,651

• Estimated cost of living in county: 23.3% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $141,446 (82.0% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $1,380,500 (305.8% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 5.6% (0.4 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 836,321

• Estimated cost of living in county: 25.2% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $140,160 (80.3% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $864,800 (154.2% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.3% (1.9 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 235,463

• Estimated cost of living in county: 27.2% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $142,785 (83.7% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $1,390,000 (308.6% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 6.1% (0.9 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 258,765

• Estimated cost of living in county: 27.7% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $156,000 (100.7% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $1,494,500 (339.3% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 4.5% (0.7 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 745,100

• Estimated cost of living in county: 30.9% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $91,943 (18.3% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $406,900 (19.6% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 3.9% (1.3 ppt. lower than national average)
• County population: 22,607

• Estimated cost of living in county: 32.6% higher than national average
• Median household income in county: $104,553 (34.5% higher than national median)
• Median home value in county: $1,108,900 (226.0% higher than national median)
• 5-year average unemployment rate in county: 7.0% (1.8 ppt. higher than national average)
• County population: 1,627,788