Top US cities for expats offer quality living but come with high costs

Expats considering a move to the United States should be aware of the high costs associated with living in top-ranked cities. According to Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Rankings, Boston is the highest-ranked U.S. city at 32nd place among 241 global cities evaluated. Other American cities on the list include San Francisco, Honolulu, New York City, Portland, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.

Mercer assesses over 240 cities annually to identify those offering the best quality of life for international employees. The evaluation considers political stability, housing, culture, travel options, traffic conditions, air quality, and educational access. The study also examines how cost of living affects quality of life.

Boston ranks highest among U.S. cities at number 32. The median home list price in Boston is $948,000 with a median household income of $130,663. "Boston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S., rich in history and culture," according to Mercer.

San Francisco follows closely behind at rank 36 with a median home list price of $1.2 million and a median household income of $136,689. Known as a tech hub today rather than its former hippie reputation, San Francisco's real estate prices have soared due to major companies like Google and Apple drawing high earners.

Honolulu ranks at 39 with a median home list price of $618,500 and a median household income of $99,816. "The sun, the sand and the tropical vibes—who wouldn’t want to live in Hawaii?" states Mercer about Honolulu’s appeal despite its high cost.

Los Angeles holds position 44 with home prices averaging $1.2 million and household incomes around $79,701. Known as an entertainment capital with perfect weather and ocean access; however residents face heavy traffic issues alongside elevated costs.

New York City ranks at number 45 where homes average $850K while incomes are approximately $76K annually: "It’s easy to think NYC as center universe" reflects Mercer's view on NYC's vibrant energy despite significant expenses involved daily.

Portland lands at position 48 where houses typically sell for about half-million dollars ($534K) against an average income nearing ninety thousand dollars ($88K). Known for progressive politics & eco-conscious lifestyle choices—locals pride themselves keeping Portland weird!

Finally Washington DC rounds out this list ranking just below Portland (#49), offering townhomes priced near six-hundred thousand dollars ($608K) amidst annual earnings exceeding hundred-thousand mark($111k). Despite being known primarily as political powerhouse city boasts cultural amenities such museums galore including Smithsonian Institution offerings free public access enriching local lives culturally too!