Across the 50 largest U.S. cities, housing now eats up about 25% of residents’ income on average, but in some hotspots that share climb to roughly 36%, and nationally, a record half of all renters are officially cost burdened, paying more than 30% of their income just to keep a roof overhead.
As the cost of living continues to rise across the United States, certain cities have become increasingly out of reach for many residents. Housing prices, rent, and daily expenses have surged, making it difficult for families and young professionals to stay.
While these cities might once have been affordable, a mix of rising demand, limited housing supply, and economic factors has pushed them into the “unaffordable” category. Here are 13 U.S. cities where living costs have skyrocketed.
San Francisco, California
Data from Redfin shows that San Francisco’s median home price climbed about 125% between 2012 and 2018, jumping from roughly $611,000 to about $1.38 million, and then increased only 8% to roughly $1.48 million by mid‑2024…