You may believe that living in Canada has grown prohibitively costly. However, there is a silver lining: even the most expensive Canadian cities are still less expensive than other locations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They aren’t even in the top ten most expensive cities in North America.
This dubious honour is bestowed upon ten cities in the United States and one in an unexpected location. Read on to learn about 10 of North America’s most expensive cities, from housing to food costs. All figures are expressed in US dollars.
The Most Expensive Cities in North America 2018
10. Boulder, Colorado
While Boulder is relatively less expensive than average for the United States, the cost of housing here makes it one of the most expensive cities in North America. Best Places says that a one-bedroom apartment in the city costs $1,202 per month.
9. Charleston, South Carolina
If you live in Charleston and are looking for a place to travel in April, don’t neglect your chance to stay in a one-bedroom apartment. Prices for tiny abodes start around $900/month, and they are only around $1,700 a month on average, according to Numbeo. You’ll pay less as a single individual if you take on $870 and $1,070 to cover your other costs.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago rivals New York City in terms of architecture, but it’s much easier to afford to stay there. It’s not inexpensive, though. According to SmartAsset, a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago goes for $1,341 per month.
As one of the most expensive cities in North America, the taxes in Chicago are very high. The taxes, sales tax on food, restaurant taxes, and state taxes are among the highest in the country.
7. Miami, Florida
You can enjoy the beautiful weather in Miami, but it doesn’t come cheap. According to Best Places, a one-bedroom apartment in Miami will cost you around $904 per month on average.
What makes Miami one of the most expensive cities in North America, though, is the cost of groceries. Fort Lauderdale has the highest retail costs for shampoo, soap, deodorant, and paper.
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The City of Brotherly Love may be cheaper to live in Chicago than New York City or San Francisco, but it’s still one of America’s most costly cities. SmartAsset states that a one-bedroom apartment costs roughly $1,152 in Philadelphia. Food expenses are generally on par with the United States average, and a Philly cheesesteak hoagie will cost an average of $9.
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is one of Puerto Rico’s best tourist spots, with very little of it exposed to the risk of Zika. Even though it’s beyond the reach of the continental mainland (it is over 1,500 km away), it’s one of the most expensive cities in the United States.
According to Best Places, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the location is $1,248 per month. Utilities and groceries are also much more expensive than the average for the nation.
4. Boston, Massachusetts
Housing is one of the primary factors that make Boston the most costly metropolitan area. According to Best Places, one-room apartment rents in the city can average $1,395 each month. This city is also costly for things like gym memberships and haircuts.
3. Portland, Oregon
If you feel that any of the typical health concerns in Canada occupy you, think twice about moving to Portland. According to Expatistan, a short visit to a health center here is the second most expensive. A one-bedroom apartment in Portland will be somewhere between $900 and $2,000 a month.
2. New York, New York
Enjoying a vibrant dance and theatre culture, New York might have made millennials ecstatic if only they could have afforded to live there. Unfortunately, the city is notorious for being not only one of the most expensive metropolises in the United States but also in the world. According to Numbeo, the average monthly cost for a single person in New York is just over $1,250, excluding rent. A one-bedroom apartment is around that much money to rent. It can set you back anything from $1,500 to $4,000 a month.
1. Hartford, Connecticut
Its inhabitants earn an average income of roughly $2,212.85 a month, making it a costly area. According to Numbeo, the total income of a single resident is between $995 and $1,500 a month, which you will need to invest in valuable items if you want to maintain a decent lifestyle here.