25 Most Expensive U.S. Cities you should AVOID moving to

From Europeans heading west in the 19th century to immigrants searching for a fresh start, leaving home in pursuit of opportunity has long been a central part of the American dream. Today, cities and local areas across the United States are actually competing for new residents. Just 11.2% of Americans moved in the past year — an all-time low.

These days, most people who move do not relocate very far, but move within the same general area. With the presence of friends and family, a job, and familiar general surrounding, people often move to improve living conditions. Other reasons could include end of a lease, moving to be closer to work or family, to a better school district, to cut costs, or to a more suitable neighborhood, among many other reasons.

Of course, just as different cities are more or less expensive places to live, moving costs within different U.S. cities vary significantly.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the total cost to move within major U.S. metro areas and ranked the top 25 most expensive cities to move. The ranking is based on calculations by real estate data company Moving Inc. that reflect the costs of moving within the principal city of large metropolitan regions. We also considered the median price of one month’s rent plus a deposit for a three bedroom housing unit.

25. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
> Average total moving cost: $3,715
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,482
> Cost of living: 1.3% less than nation
> Median household income: $51,552
> Population change from migration: 6.4%

24. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MO
> Average total moving cost: $3,744
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,462
> Cost of living: 6.3% greater than nation
> Median household income: $65,123
> Population change from migration: -0.1%

23. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
> Average total moving cost: $3,748
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,446
> Cost of living: 4.6% greater than nation
> Median household income: $63,153
> Population change from migration: -2.8%

22. Stockton-Lodi, CA
> Average total moving cost: $3,820
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,558
> Cost of living: 0.4% greater than nation
> Median household income: $53,705
> Population change from migration: 2.5%

21. New Haven-Milford, CT
> Average total moving cost: $3,868
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,610
> Cost of living: 12.1% greater than nation
> Median household income: $61,760
> Population change from migration: -1.5%

20. Colorado Springs, CO
> Average total moving cost: $3,909
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,670
> Cost of living: 0.2% greater than nation
> Median household income: $60,458
> Population change from migration: 5.1%

19. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
> Average total moving cost: $3,912
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,678
> Cost of living: 2.0% less than nation
> Median household income: $60,093
> Population change from migration: -0.5%

18. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
> Average total moving cost: $3,942
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,666
> Cost of living: 2.4% greater than nation
> Median household income: $71,008
> Population change from migration: 1.7%

17. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
> Average total moving cost: $3,977
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,728
> Cost of living: 6.7% greater than nation
> Median household income: $56,087
> Population change from migration: 2.2%

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16. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
> Average total moving cost: $4,027
> 1st month’s rent and deposit: $2,734
> Cost of living: 1.8% greater than nation
> Median household income: $63,850
> Population change from migration: 5.6%

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