Overview
The data provides a ranked list of North American cities by their cost of living index, including separate metrics for rent, groceries, restaurant prices, and local purchasing power. New York City is set as the baseline (index 100) for comparison.
Cost of Living Index Highlights
- New York, NY is the reference point with the highest cost of living, rent, and general price levels (index 100).
- Honolulu, San Francisco, and Seattle follow as the next most expensive cities in terms of overall cost.
- Major US cities on both coasts (such as Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, and Washington DC) rank higher than interior cities.
- Canadian cities like Surrey, Victoria, Toronto, and Vancouver appear mid-to-low in the index list.
Rent and Groceries Trends
- Rent is highest in New York, San Francisco, and Boston but significantly lower in many interior US and Canadian cities.
- Groceries are notably most expensive in Honolulu, with other high-ranking cities such as San Francisco and Seattle.
Restaurant and Purchasing Power Indices
- Restaurant prices are highest in New York and San Francisco, but lower in many Canadian cities.
- Local purchasing power is much greater in West Coast tech hubs (e.g., San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose), indicating higher average incomes.
Regional Observations
- US cities generally have higher living costs than Canadian cities, though some Canadian urban centers (Toronto, Vancouver) approach US levels.
- Midwest and Southern US cities, as well as many Canadian cities, have significantly lower costs of living and rent indices.
Key Takeaways
- Coastal US cities are consistently among the most expensive in North America.
- Interior cities, both US and Canadian, offer a more affordable cost of living, especially regarding rent.
- Local purchasing power varies widely and can offset higher living costs in some cities.