Manhattan regularly tops the list of most expensive places to live in the U.S. and it is easy to see why. Goods and services here can cost two to three times more than the national average and seem to have a way of ballooning year after year.
Manhattan scores a whopping 225.4 on a cost of living index, much higher than the national average which balances out at 100, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research.
There is an interesting exception to this trend when it comes to things like manicures and yoga, which are actually cheaper in Manhattan thanks to a competitive market.For most things, however, Big Apple prices are out off the charts.
We used Bankrate.com's cost of living calculator to see just how much more expensive Manhattan really is.
Manhattan homes cost $1,018,864.67 more than the national average.
Manhattan: $1,303,420.67
National average: $284, 556
Source: Bankrate.com / CostofLiving.org
Manhattan rent costs $3,032.10 more than the national average.
Manhattan: $3,902.10
National average: $870
Source: Bankrate.com / CostofLiving.org
Energy bills are $66.58 higher in Manhattan than the national average.
Manhattan: $231.44
National average: $164.86
Source: Bankrate.com / CostofLiving.org
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