According to Numbeo’s Cost of Living Plus Rent Index, the U.S. landed at 59.5%, placing it among the top 10 most costly countries for rent and living expenses globally—just behind places like the Cayman Islands and Switzerland, and slightly above Canada and New Zealand.
Similarly, Living Cost rankings show the U.S. with a monthly cost of living around $2,433, aligning with its Numbeo placement.
Why U.S. Cities Are So Expensive
1. Cities Rival Switzerland
A 2025 Deutsche Bank study shows that cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco now rival Zurich and Geneva in terms of overall cost of rent, groceries, and daily living—a stark contrast to just a decade ago when U.S. cities were more affordable.
In particular, a three-bedroom in NYC averages $8,500/month, higher than even Singapore or London in some categories.
2. Severe Shortage of Units (Especially NYC)
Manhattan’s median rent for a one-bedroom apartment hovers at $4,443/month in 2023, with vacancy rates at just 1.4%, marking an extreme shortage of available rental units.
3. Limited Housing Growth
Data shows property construction has not kept pace with job growth—from 2010 to 2021, NYC added only about 4% more housing units despite a 22% increase in jobs, contributing to rising rents.
State & City Highlights
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California, Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Connecticut rank as the U.S.’s most expensive states for renters, according to Forbes Advisor and Quicken Loans reports.
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Among U.S. cities, Manhattan leads with rent averaging 127.7% above the national average (~$4,569/month); San Francisco comes in third at about 78.6% above average, followed by other metros like Brooklyn, Boston, and Seattle.
Damage to Household Budgets
In many U.S. cities, renting alone consumes 30–38% of household income, well above recommended thresholds. High costs also extend beyond rent to food, healthcare, transport, and utilities.
Comparative Snapshot: U.S. vs. Global
| Country | Numbeo Cost of Living + Rent | Global Rank* |
|---|---|---|
| Cayman Islands | ≈ 94.8% | Top 5 |
| Switzerland | ≈ 84% | Top 5 |
| U.S. | ≈ 59.5% | Top 10 |
| Australia | ≈ 55.6% | Top 10 |
| Canada | ≈ 53.1% | Top 10–15 |
*Index values are percentages relative to New York City (baseline of 100) worldpopulationreview.com.
Other countries like Monaco, Singapore, and Iceland also consistently appear in the very highest tiers of cost rankings, often exceeding even Switzerland or the Cayman Islands in some measures.
Expats & Relocation: Where the Dollars Stretch
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In Sapporo, Japan, mapped rent averages $700/month, offering savings of over $1,800 monthly compared to San Francisco-style markets.
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In Tirana, Albania, a furnished one-bedroom in the city center averages $480/month, with total living expenses around $1,500/month.
What It Means
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The United States consistently ranks within the top 10 most expensive countries for renting globally.
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High-cost cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Honolulu are outliers even by U.S. standards, emphasizing where the bulk of rental pressure lies.
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For those considering moving domestically or internationally, it’s critical to weigh not just base rent but the full package of living-related expenditures.
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For digital nomads or retirees, many destination cities abroad offer substantial cost savings without sacrificing modern amenities.
Source & Link
Where America Ranks in the World’s Most Expensive Countries to Rent — MSN Money
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/where-america-ranks-in-the-world-s-most-expensive-countries-to-rent/ss-AA1F5iSj