9. Washington, DC
Washington, DC consistently ranks as one of the least affordable cities in the country. The cost of living in the nation’s capital is 40.1% above the national average. An average home in the DC Metro area costs $746,549 and monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,852. Expect to pay $3.70 for a gallon of gas in the capital. An average night out at the movies is $11.54 per ticket. Don’t feel too bad, though. The average federal employee makes a comfortable six figure salary with cushy benefits and kickbacks to boot.
8. Orange County, CA
Orange County is one of the most expensive areas of southern California. The OC has a cost of living that is 46.4% above the national average. The median price for a home in the county is $721,000 and an average monthly rent runs for $1,778. A trip to the beauty salon will cost you an average of $60 and at the grocery store expect to pay $2.24 for a half-gallon of milk and $2.19 for a dozen eggs. Here, a gallon of gasoline will put you back $3.90. It’s just the price you have to pay to live on the beautiful California coast.
