Advertiser Disclosure

How Much the Cost of Living Has Increased Since 2019 in America’s 50 Largest Cities

March 6, 2025

10 min Read

Written by Heather Taylor

Edited by Jordan Rosenfeld

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 YearsHelping You Live Richer

Reviewed by Experts

Trusted by Millions of Readers

If you’re moving to San Diego this year, your monthly cost of living will be 20% more expensive than if you had made the move six years ago.

From 2019 to 2025, the monthly cost of living has substantially increased across many of America’s 50 largest cities — and declined in several surprising metros like San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee.

GOBankingRates determined the difference in total cost of living from 2019 to 2025 by using the average mortgage and expenditure cost in America’s top 50 metros. The total cost of living in 2019 was entered into the CPI inflation Calculator from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find the cost in 2025 dollars. From there, the differences from 2019 to 2025 in current and original prices were calculated for each city. Each figure below has been adjusted for 2025 dollars to present an apples-to-apples comparison.

Key Findings

San Diego had the greatest total cost of living change (20%) from 2019 to 2025.
San Jose and Miami were the only two other cities that cracked double digits for cost-of-living increases. San Jose took second place at 11% while Miami ranked third at a nearly 10% increase.
Residents in 14 major cities now have total monthly expenses that are at least 10% less than what they paid in 2019. These cities include Tulsa (-10.7%), Dallas (-10.8%), San Antonio (-11.7%), San Francisco (-13.1%), Chicago (-13.2%), Milwaukee (-13.3%), Minneapolis (-13.5%), Houston (-13.8%), Oklahoma City (-14.2%), Washington, D.C. (-14.7%), New Orleans (-16.7%), Cleveland (-17.7%), Memphis (-19.4%) and Philadelphia (-19.7%).

Keep reading to see how much the monthly cost of living has increased in these 50 metros.

Today’s Top Offers

1. San Diego

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $86,971
2025 annual total cost of living: $104,654
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 20.3%

2. San Jose, California

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $124,628
2025 annual total cost of living: $138,599
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 11.2%

3. Miami

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $66,235
2025 annual total cost of living: $72,838
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 10%

4. Los Angeles

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $94,900
2025 annual total cost of living: $99,076
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 4.4%

5. Honolulu

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $120,021
2025 annual total cost of living: $123,064
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 2.5%

6. Long Beach, California

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $87,521
2025 annual total cost of living: $90,176
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 3.0%

7. Raleigh, North Carolina

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $51,455
2025 annual total cost of living: $53,501
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 4%

8. Nashville, Tennessee

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $53,502
2025 annual total cost of living: $54,673
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 2.2%

9. Fresno, California

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $50,329
2025 annual total cost of living: $51,289
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 1.9%

10. Boston

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $81,647
2025 annual total cost of living: $82,506
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 1.1%

Today’s Top Offers

11. Charlotte, North Carolina

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $50,527
2025 annual total cost of living: $51,209
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 1.4%

12. Mesa, Arizona

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $54,489
2025 annual total cost of living: $55,065
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 1.1%

13. Colorado Springs, Colorado

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $53,511
2025 annual total cost of living: $53,979
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 0.9%

14. Virginia Beach, Virginia

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $52,486
2025 annual total cost of living: $52,891
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 0.8%

15. Sacramento, California

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $59,417
2025 annual total cost of living: $59,581
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): 0.3%

16. Austin, Texas

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $61,844
2025 annual total cost of living: $61,754
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -0.2%

17. Atlanta

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $55,913
2025 annual total cost of living: $55,801
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -0.2%

18. Tucson, Arizona

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $45,983
2025 annual total cost of living: $45,747
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -0.5%

19. Phoenix

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $54,525
2025 annual total cost of living: $53,820
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -1.3%

20. Las Vegas

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $57,855
2025 annual total cost of living: $56,944
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -1.6%

Today’s Top Offers

21. Orlando, Florida

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $54,227
2025 annual total cost of living: $53,118
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -2.0%

22. Albuquerque, New Mexico

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $45,832
2025 annual total cost of living: $44,648
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -2.6%

23. Seattle

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $91,363
2025 annual total cost of living: $89,376
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -2.2%

24. Jacksonville, Florida

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $47,083
2025 annual total cost of living: $44,598
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -5.3%

25. Omaha, Nebraska

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $45,252
2025 annual total cost of living: $42,408
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -6.3%

26. El Paso, Texas

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $40,759
2025 annual total cost of living: $37,892
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -7.0%

27. Columbus, Ohio

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $43,398
2025 annual total cost of living: $40,210
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -7.4%

28. Indianapolis

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $41,174
2025 annual total cost of living: $37,824
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -8.1%

29. Kansas City, Missouri

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $42,687
2025 annual total cost of living: $39,309
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -7.9%

Today’s Top Offers

30. Denver

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $68,794
2025 annual total cost of living: $64,796
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -5.8%

31. New York City

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $93,674
2025 annual total cost of living: $89,590
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -4.4%

32. Louisville, Kentucky

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $44,413
2025 annual total cost of living: $40,318
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -9.2%

33. Portland, Oregon

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $67,050
2025 annual total cost of living: $62,780
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -6.4%

34. Arlington, Texas

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $50,892
2025 annual total cost of living: $46,468
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -8.7%

35. Tulsa, Oklahoma

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $41,433
2025 annual total cost of living: $36,989
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -10.7%

36. Fort Worth, Texas

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $50,032
2025 annual total cost of living: $45,346
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -9.4%

37. San Antonio, Texas

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $45,398
2025 annual total cost of living: $40,094
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -11.7%

38. Milwaukee

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $42,701
2025 annual total cost of living: $37,045
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -13.3%

39. Dallas

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $52,463
2025 annual total cost of living: $46,803
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -10.8%

Today’s Top Offers

40. Oklahoma City

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $43,174
2025 annual total cost of living: $37,058
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -14.2%

41. Cleveland

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $34,794
2025 annual total cost of living: $28,662
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -17.6%

42. Houston

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $50,089
2025 annual total cost of living: $43,200
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -13.8%

43. Chicago

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $53,489
2025 annual total cost of living: $46,412
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -13.2%

44. Minneapolis

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $53,241
2025 annual total cost of living: $46,065
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -13.5%

45. Memphis, Tennessee

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $40,129
2025 annual total cost of living: $32,349
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -19.4%

46. Oakland, California

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $91,671
2025 annual total cost of living: $83,471
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -9%

47. New Orleans

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $49,212
2025 annual total cost of living: $41,003
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -16.7%

48. Philadelphia

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $52,021
2025 annual total cost of living: $41,801
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -19.6%

Today’s Top Offers

49. Washington, D.C.

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $89,750
2025 annual total cost of living: $76,517
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -14.7%

50. San Francisco

2019 annual total cost of living (in 2025 dollars): $145,315
2025 annual total cost of living: $126,303
2019 to 2025 % change in total annual cost of living (in 2025 dollars): -13%

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed some of the largest cities to find the difference in total cost of living from 2019 to 2025. The current cost of living was sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces. Using the average expenditure costs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs were calculated for each city. The total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income, all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location. The current average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for January 2025. Using the current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from Federal Reserve Economic Data, and assuming a 10% down payment, the average mortgage cost was calculated. Using the average mortgage and expenditure cost, the total cost of living was calculated. The total cost of living in 2019 was entered into the CPI inflation Calculator from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find the cost in 2025 dollars. The differences from 2019 to 2025 in current and original prices were calculated for each city. All data was collected on and is up to date as of March 3, 2025.

More From GOBankingRates