What Are The Most Expensive Zip Codes In The U.S.?

Hint: 8 out of 10 are in one metropolitan area….

It’s no surprise that the majority of the most expensive zip codes in the United States are located in New York City. Rents have been soaring for decades in the Big Apple and the highest average rent, according to new data collected by RENTCafe from Yardi Matrix, is nearly $6k per month. Certain factors, however, most likely contributed to making the 10282 zip code the priciest in the United States. For starters, it’s very near to the former Twin Towers, where major reconstruction has incurred since 2001, including the opening of One World Trade Center. This – plus the close proximity to the river and an excellent neighboring high school – undoubtedly raised the cost of living in the area.

The next runner up for the priciest spot on the map is the Lennox Hill neighborhood just below the Upper East Side in Manhattan. However, a quick jump across Central Park brings you to another spot on the most expensive residential map: the Upper West Side. The UWS neighborhood shows up twice on the list and includes all of Riverside Park, which is a narrow waterfront park that runs up the isle of northern Manhattan. The average rent for the majority of the priciest Manhattan neighborhoods is around $4.5k per month.

But what about other places in the United States? Surely the most expensive aren’t all located in New York? It’s an interesting find that the top twenty list only includes two other states: California (as expected) and Massachusetts. While Massachusetts is an unusual contender on the list, it’s not really a surprise that the number 12 spot is in Boston ($4,227 per month). San Francisco, however, is up there in the top five most expensive zip codes, with 94129 coming in at number 4 and 94105 coming in at number 9.

Here is the list of the priciest zip codes in the United States:

1. 10282, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $5,924

This area code is the section of the city next to One World Trade Center

2. 10065, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $4,898

This area code is just below the Upper East Side, pictured here

3. 10023, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $4,892

Columbus Circle sits at the edge of area code 10023

4. 94129, San Francisco (CA). Average Rent: $4,762

Main Post and Presidio of San Francisco are included in the 94129 zip

5. 10025, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $4,525

6. 10024, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $4,535

7. 10002, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $4,441

8. 10013, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $4,422

9. 94105, San Francisco (CA). Average Rent: $4,380

10. 10036, Manhattan (NY). Average Rent: $4,375

*Data collected by Yardi Matrix.

About the author

Amber C. Snider

Home & Design Editor

Amber was born in Washington, D.C. and relocated to NYC in 2007. She received an M.A. degree in Liberal Studies: Women's Studies, Gender, and Sexuality from CUNY's Graduate Center and University, and an honors B.A. in English from The City College of New York. Before coming to Culture Trip, she was the executive editor for Metropolitan Magazine, a boutique luxury lifestyle and arts publication, as well as the editor for ResidencyNY Magazine. In 2015, she also started her own company, ACS Media Services, and has over 8+ years experience as a writer/editor in the NYC area. As one of the original employees in Culture Trip’s New York City office, Amber focuses on three verticals: Design, Architecture, and Home and Interiors, exploring how creativity and design influences our contemporary social landscape. She lives in Brooklyn with her typewriter.