An average monthly rent above $5,600 makes finding a home in Manhattan expensive. But housing is only part of the reason the New York City borough leads Kiplinger’s ranking of the most expensive places to live in the United States.

The report puts Manhattan’s overall living costs at 117.6% above the national average—more than double the U.S. benchmark. Honolulu, San Jose, Brooklyn and San Francisco complete the top five.

For prospective Manhattan residents, property prices represent a substantial hurdle. The report cites an average home price above $2.9 million, while renting costs more than $67,200 annually at the reported monthly average.

Everyday services add to that financial pressure. A doctor’s visit costs approximately 34% more than the national average, and miscellaneous goods and services carry a premium of more than 29%. Those expenses help explain why the borough’s high cost of living extends well beyond its real estate market.

Manhattan also combines steep prices with exceptional population density. The report cites approximately 73,293 residents per square mile, compared with 17,726 in San Francisco.

Across the Pacific, second-place Honolulu presents a different set of affordability challenges. Overall living expenses are nearly 85% above the national average, and the average home price approaches $1.75 million. Utilities and groceries also place substantial demands on household budgets.

San Jose ranks third, with living costs more than 80% above the U.S. average and an average home price exceeding $1.9 million. Its established technology industry offers opportunities for well-paid work, but the cost of settling in the area remains considerable.

The remaining places in the top five show that alternatives to the most expensive locations can still require a substantial budget. Brooklyn ranks fourth, despite its longstanding reputation as a less costly option than Manhattan. San Francisco follows in fifth place, with housing and everyday expenses driving its high ranking.

Together, these locations illustrate how strongly an address can influence household spending. Housing dominates the figures, but healthcare, utilities, food, and services also shape the cost of daily life. A salary that appears generous in one community may leave much less room in the budget in another.

Source: Kiplinger’s ranking of the most expensive U.S. cities. Figures reflect the report’s data, not live property listings.