Housing was the biggest expense for those living in the top 5 cities, forming 29.34% of the overall composite index of the cost of living.
A one bedroom apartment in Manhattan goes for $3,100 a month now. The Median annual household income was around $75,400 in NYC.
The average rent in San Francisco is around $3,600 for an apartment now.  But median income is a little higher so events it out and why NYC,  statistically speaking, is the most expensive.