Fewer than two out of every three Americans lived in an urban area in the middle of the 20th century. Since then, millions of Americans have flocked to cities — and that trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. According to United Nations projections, some 87.4% of Americans will live in an urban area in 2050.
For many younger Americans moving to big cities, the draw is often job and career opportunities. Older Americans may choose to relocate to an urban area for walkability, access to services, shopping, and other amenities.
No matter the reason, moving can be an expensive undertaking – especially for those looking to move to certain cities. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Move, Inc., a relocation planning resource, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 25 most expensive cities to move to. Cities were ranked based on the average cost to move household goods as well median monthly rent and a security deposit.
The high costs often do not end with the move, especially in many of these metro areas. In 19 of the 25 cities on this list, the average cost of goods and services is higher than it is nationwide on average. Many of these cities rank among the most expensive places to live in the country.
These higher moving costs and higher costs of living, however, can often be offset with higher paying jobs in many of these cities. In all but three metro areas on this list, the typical household earns more than the median annual household income of $60,336 nationwide. Several even rank among the richest cities in America, with the majority of households earning six figures annually.
