Why a Recent Survey Lists Los Angeles As Second-Most Expensive City In US
Los Angeles, California, earned the second spot in a recent survey of the most expensive cities in the United States, falling just behind San Diego in the rankings.This surprising ranking, published by U.S. News & World Report in their «Most Expensive Places to Live in the United States 2023-2024» list, sheds light on the changing landscape of American cities and the factors that contribute to their high cost of living.
Why is Los Angeles the country's second most expensive city?
The survey considers a variety of factors, such as quality of life, housing affordability, and overall desirability. While San Diego was the most expensive city in the United States, Los Angeles was close behind, taking second place. Notably, this ranking outranked cities traditionally associated with high living costs, such as San Francisco and New York City, which were ranked sixth and eleventh, respectively.
California, in particular, dominated the list, accounting for 12 of the top 25 cities. This significant representation emphasizes the state's overall cost of living and the appeal of various California cities despite their higher costs. Los Angeles and Santa Barbara came in second and fifth, highlighting the state's role in shaping the country's living cost landscape.
What Factors Influenced Los Angeles' Ranking?
The methodology of the survey, which is part of US News' Best Places to Live assessment, takes into account a variety of factors, providing a comprehensive picture of what influences the cost of living in these cities. The crime rate, education quality, blended median annual household income, temperate weather, and unemployment rate all played a role in determining the rankings.
The average home value in Los Angeles
