The US is a significantly large country from the west coast to the east, and many cities are more expensive to live in than others. We’ve put together a list of the most expensive cities in the US based on the Cost of Living Index, the median household incomes in those cities, the median cost of homes, and the unemployment rates. So here we have it, our list of the top 4 most expensive US cities:

1. Manhattan, New York

If you’ve ever been to Manhattan, you’ve probably experienced first-hand the way some of the people there live in absolute luxury. Of course, luxury does not come cheap, and most people pay upwards of $4000 in rent every month, and groceries, transport, and other services are also way more expensive in Manhattan. Here are some stats to support why Manhattan is the no. 1 most expensive city in the US:

Cost of Living Index: 138% higher than the average US cost of living index 

Household Income: $89,000

Home Value: $1,020,000

Unemployment Rate: 4.8%

2. Honolulu, Hawaii

While Hawaii is all but a literal Pacific heaven on Earth, it is incredibly expensive living in Honolulu. The city is mostly so expensive because of its remote location, which means that most everything sold there has to be brought to the city by boat or air.

Groceries and utilities, in particular, cost more in Honolulu than in any other US city. Here are some stats supporting Honolulu’s second-place spot on our list:

Cost of Living Index: 93% higher than the average US cost of living index 

Household Income: $72,000

Home Value: $707,000

Unemployment Rate: 4%

3. San Francisco, California

San Francisco has seen a lot of growth in the technology industry, with hordes of people moving to the city to work in tech companies. Houses in San Francisco are notoriously expensive, and many people struggle to make their paychecks last through the month.

Additionally, the city is not so great for renters, either, as they pay up to 3-times the US average for rent. Here are some stats that put San Francisco third on our list of most expensive US cities:

Cost of Living Index: 84% higher than the average US cost of living index 

Household Income: $119,000

Home Value: $1,150,000

Unemployment Rate: 2%

4. Brooklyn, New York

While Brooklyn could technically be lumped together with Manhattan, it is become more of its own metropolis in the last few years and can be considered one of the largest – and most expensive – cities in the US. While Brooklyn was once a cheaper alternative to Manhattan, that is no longer the case.

Utilities, healthcare, and transport are all more expensive in Brooklyn than other US cities. Here are the stats that place Brooklyn fourth on our list of most expensive US cities:

Cost of Living Index: 75% higher than the average US cost of living index 

Household Income: $64,000

Home Value: $735,000

Unemployment Rate: 6%