When it comes to living expenses, Manhattanites pay more than twice the national average.
That's according to the Council for Community and Economic Research, which has just released its sixth annual cost-of-living index looking at what professionals pay for a basket of goods and services in urban areas around the U.S.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Manhattan is Harlingen, Tex., where the standard cost of living was nearly 19 percent less than the national average. And this year, Boston knocked Truckee-Nevada County, Calif. out of the top 10.
The composite index is based on six areas: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. It's representative of most households in the top income quintile, CCER said.
We've rounded up the top 10, as well as the average costs of some items and services in those areas.
#10 Boston, MA
Cost of Living Index: 139.9
Based on 307 urban areas; national average is 100
***
T-bone steak: $11.16
Half-gallon of milk: $2.72
Home price: $458,744
Haircut: $15.29
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index
#9 Orange County, CA
Cost of Living Index: 140.6
Based on 307 urban areas; national average is 100
***
T-bone steak: $9.58
Half-gallon of milk: $2.24
Home price: $682,703
Haircut: $15.57
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index
#8 Washington, DC
Cost of Living Index: 144.7
Based on 307 urban areas; national average is 100
***
T-bone steak: $10.82
Half-gallon of milk: $2.71
Home price: $746,549
Haircut: $16.29
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index
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