As of mid-2024, Montevideo ranked as the second Latin American and Caribbean metropolis with the highest cost of living index. The Uruguayan capital obtained an index score of ****, only second to Port of Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago, with **** points. Monterrey and Panama City were the third and fourth most expensive cities to live in Latin America and the Caribbean that year, with scores surpassing ** points each.

West Virginia and Kansas had the lowest cost of living across all U.S. states, with composite costs being half of those found in Hawaii. This was according to a composite index that compares prices for various goods and services on a state-by-state basis. In West Virginia, the cost of living index amounted to **** — well below the national benchmark of 100. Virginia— which had an index value of ***** — was only slightly above that benchmark. Expensive places to live included Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. Housing costs in the U.S. Housing is usually the highest expense in a household’s budget. In 2023, the average house sold for approximately ******* U.S. dollars, but house prices in the Northeast and West regions were significantly higher. Conversely, the South had some of the least expensive housing. In West Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana, the median price of the typical single-family home was less than ******* U.S. dollars. That makes living expenses in these states significantly lower than in states such as Hawaii and California, where housing is much pricier. What other expenses affect the cost of living? Utility costs such as electricity, natural gas, water, and internet also influence the cost of living. In Alaska, Hawaii, and Connecticut, the average monthly utility cost exceeded *** U.S. dollars. That was because of the significantly higher prices for electricity and natural gas in these states.

In 2020, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara in California was the most expensive metropolitan area for both renting and owning a home in the United States. The median monthly housing costs for owners in 2020 were ***** U.S. dollars, whereas for renters they were ***** U.S. dollars. In all thirty metropolitan areas, renting was more affordable than buying. As of *************, the average rent for a three bedroom apartment was nearly ***** U.S. dollars.

SoHo was the most expensive neighborhood in New York City, United States in the third quarter of 2024, with the median sales price of homes at **** million U.S. dollars. Out of the top ten most expensive neighborhoods to buy a home, ***** were in Manhattan. Cobble Hill, DUMBO, and Carroll Gardens were the only Brooklyn neighborhoods in the top ten ranking and had a median home sales price ranging between *** million U.S. dollars and *** million U.S. dollars.

Of the most populous cities in the U.S., San Jose, California had the highest annual income requirement at ******* U.S. dollars annually for homeowners to have an affordable and comfortable life in 2024. This can be compared to Houston, Texas, where homeowners needed an annual income of ****** U.S. dollars in 2024.

In the last quarter of 2024, three of the ten most expensive cities in the United States for business travel when it comes to food costs were located in California. However, the ranking was topped by Honolulu, which average daily food cost amounted to 118 U.S. dollars at that time.

Residential Real Estate Market Outlook

The global residential real estate market size was valued at approximately $9.7 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach an astounding $15.4 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. This growth is driven by several factors, including increasing urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and the ongoing global shift towards homeownership as a stable investment. Demographic shifts, such as the growing number of nuclear families and millennials entering the housing market, also contribute significantly to this upward trend.

One of the primary growth factors for the residential real estate market is the increasing urbanization across the globe. As more people migrate to urban areas in search of better job opportunities and a higher standard of living, the demand for residential properties in cities continues to rise. This trend is particularly pronounced in developing countries, where rapid economic growth is accompanied by significant rural-to-urban migration. Additionally, the trend of urban redevelopment and the creation of smart cities are further fueling the demand for modern residential properties.

Another crucial growth factor is the rise in disposable incomes and improved access to financing options. With strong economic growth in many parts of the world, individual incomes have been rising, allowing more people to afford homeownership. Financial institutions are also playing a critical role by offering a variety of mortgage products with attractive interest rates and flexible repayment terms. This increased access to capital has enabled a broader section of the population to invest in residential real estate, thereby expanding the market.

Technological advancements and the digital transformation of the real estate sector are also contributing to market growth. The proliferation of online platforms and real estate technology (proptech) solutions has made the process of buying, selling, and renting properties more efficient and transparent. Virtual tours, online mortgage applications, and blockchain for property transactions are some of the innovations revolutionizing the industry. These technological advancements not only improve the customer experience but also attract tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z buyers.

Regionally, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing significant growth in the residential real estate market. Countries like China and India, with their large populations and rapid urbanization, are at the forefront of this expansion. Government initiatives aimed at providing affordable housing and improving infrastructure are also playing a pivotal role. In contrast, mature markets like North America and Europe are witnessing steady growth driven by economic stability and continued investment in housing. Meanwhile, regions like Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also showing promise, albeit at a slower pace, due to varying economic conditions and market maturity levels.

Property Type Analysis

The residential real estate market is segmented by property type, including single-family homes, multi-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, and others. Single-family homes are the most traditional and widespread type of residential property. They are particularly popular in suburban areas where space is more abundant. The demand for single-family homes continues to be driven by the desire for privacy, larger living spaces, and the ability to customize the property. These homes appeal especially to families with children and those looking to invest in a long-term residence.

Multi-family homes, which include duplexes, triplexes, and apartment buildings, are gaining traction, particularly in urban settings. These properties are attractive due to their potential for generating rental income and their ability to house multiple tenants. Investors find multi-family homes appealing as they offer a higher return on investment (ROI) compared to single-family homes. Additionally, the increasing trend of co-living and shared housing arrangements has bolstered the demand for multi-family properties in cities.

Condominiums, or condos, are another significant segment within the residential real estate market. Condos are particularly popular in urban areas where land is scarce and expensive. They offer a balance between affordability and amenities, making them an attractive option for young professionals and small families. Condominiums often come with added benefits such as maintenance services, security, and shared facilities like gyms and swimmin

As of March 2024, the cost of living in Bogota was the highest among major Colombian cities. In total, the average cost per month amounted to *** U.S. dollars. Cartagena followed in the ranking, with a monthly cost of living of *** U.S. dollars at that time.

A dataset listing the 20 richest cities in Colorado for 2024, including information on rank, city, county, population, average income, and median income.

A dataset listing the 20 richest cities in Connecticut for 2024, including information on rank, city, county, population, average income, and median income.

Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was one of the most expensive neighborhoods for residential property in Latin America in 2023, with an average square meter price of almost 5,500 U.S. dollars per square meter. Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro and Del Valle in Monterrey completed the top three with average price of about 4,000 U.S. dollars per square meter respectively.

Cities in the United States dominate the list of cities with the highest rents worldwide. New York was ranked as the most expensive city to rent in, ahead of San Francisco, with an index score of ***. Boston followed in third.

The median sales price of the existing privately owned single-family homes in the United States increased slightly in 2024. The most expensive homes were found in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, where the median sales price was 1.9 million U.S. dollars. Hawaii and Delaware experienced the strongest home appreciation.

Of the cities who have experienced cost of living increases, the top three are located in Latin America, two in Mexico and one in Costa Rica. Each moved 38, 39, and 48 spots in the ranking respectively since 2022. Due to increases in interest rates, the Mexican peso and Costa Rican colón have both appreciated against the U.S. Dollar. Comparatively, Singapore and Zurich were ranked the most expensive cities in the world.

The median sales price of existing single-family homes in the United States was the highest in the West region. In 2023, the median sales price for a home in the West region of the United States amounted to approximately 603,000 U.S. dollars.

In the United States, Hawaii was the state with the most expensive housing, with the typical value of single-family homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range exceeding ******* U.S. dollars. Unsurprisingly, Hawaii also ranked top as the state with the highest cost of living. Meanwhile, a property was the least expensive in West Virginia, where it cost under ******* U.S. dollars to buy the typical single-family home. Single-family home prices increased across most states in the United States between December 2023 and December 2024, except in Louisiana, Florida, and the District of Colombia. According to the Federal Housing Association, house appreciation in 13 states exceeded **** percent in 2023.

According to a recent study, Colombia had the lowest monthly cost of living in Latin America with 546 U.S. dollars needed for basic living. In contrast, four countries had a cost of living above one thousand dollars, Costa Rica, Chile, Panama and Uruguay. In 2022, the highest minimum wage in the region was recorded by Ecuador with 425 dollars per month.

Can Latin Americans survive on a minimum wage? Even if most countries in Latin America have instated laws to guarantee citizens a basic income, these minimum standards are often not enough to meet household needs. For instance, it was estimated that almost 22 million people in Mexico lacked basic housing services. Salary levels also vary greatly among Latin American economies. In 2022, the average net monthly salary in Brazil was lower than Ecuador's minimum wage.

What can a minimum wage afford in Latin America? Latin American real wages have generally risen in the past decade. However, consumers in this region still struggle to afford non-basic goods, such as tech products. Recent estimates reveal that, in order to buy an iPhone, Brazilian residents would have to work more than two months to be able to pay for it. A gaming console, on the other hand, could easily cost a Latin American worker several minimum wages.

In 2022, the annual salary needed to buy a median priced home in the United States was ****** U.S. dollars. However, in some of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States where housing prices are up to *** or ***** times higher, homebuyers would have to earn more than 100,000 U.S. dollars to afford a home. In San Jose, which was the most expensive metro in 2022, the annual salary needed for a median home was approximately ******* U.S. dollars.

In the first quarter of 2025, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Honolulu were some of the U.S. cities with the highest housing construction costs. Meanwhile, Phoenix had one of the lowest construction costs for high-end multifamily homes at *** U.S. dollars per square foot and Las Vegas for single-family homes between *** and *** U.S. dollars per square foot. Construction cost disparities As seen here, the construction cost for a high-end multi-family home in San Francisco in the first quarter of 2024 was over ***** more expensive than in Phoenix. Meanwhile, there were also great differences in the cost of building a single-family house in New York and in Portland or Seattle. Some factors that may cause these disparities are the construction materials, installation, and composite costs, differing land values, wages, etc. For example, although the price of construction materials in the U.S. was rising at a slower level than in 2022 and 2023, several materials that are essential in most construction projects had growth rates of over **** percent in 2024. Growing industry revenue Despite the economic uncertainty and other challenges, the size of the private construction market in the U.S. rose during the past years. It is important to consider that supply and demand for housing influences the revenue of this segment of the construction market. On the supply side, single-family home construction fell in 2023, but it is expected to rise in 2024 and 2025. On the demand side, some of the U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest sale prices of single-family homes were located in California, with San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at the top of the ranking.

Cost of living can vary wildly depending on the city that people live in. Some are hugely expensive while others are comparatively cheaper. This variety can also be seen in the average overnight price of hotels. In September 2023, New York held the highest hotel rate in North America when compared to other selected cities. The average overnight price for a hotel room in New York was 504 U.S. dollars.