From coastal California to the iconic East Coast, there's no shortage of expensive cities across the country. But there are still some bargains to be found among the largest cities in America, even when it comes to the most highly desirable neighborhoods.
We've scoured the Apartment Guide listings to come up with the most expensive neighborhoods in America's largest cities.
Ready to upgrade your zip code? Whether you have your heart set on a tony neighborhood in a pricey city, or prefer to stretch your dollar with a big city bargain, these are the priciest neighborhoods by average one-bedroom rent in country's most populated cities.
This West Texas city is situated on the Rio Grande along the U.S. and Mexico border. Westside El Paso covers an area northwest of downtown along the Texas and New Mexico line. This area is a haven for families and outdoor lovers — Franklin Mountains State Park makes up a large portion of this neighborhood.
Living in El Paso's most desirable neighborhood will only set you back around $718 per month. How's that for a big city bargain?
The revitalization of this historic Midtown neighborhood is epitomized by Crosstown Concourse, a former Sears distribution center turned mixed-use building that's home to 265 loft-style apartments. Not to mention restaurants, retail, health clinics and a contemporary art center.
The price to live in or around these restored art deco digs? Around $1,295 per month for a one bedroom in Crosstown.
Sure, downtown Indy is the city's central business hub, but it's also a hopping neighborhood where something's always going on. Think sports, festivals, parks and ample entertainment. This walkable hood features everything from historic homes and high-end condos to edgy lofts.
Snag a one-bedroom apartment in Downtown Indianapolis that suits your style for around $1,306 per month.
There's a lot more to Fort Worth than Stockyard rodeos and the National Cowgirl Museum. Consider Monticello. Home to historic bungalows and quaint cottages, this neighborhood's prime location puts you close to downtown and within walking distance of the city's Cultural District with its museums, entertainment venues and nightlife options.
Settle into the city's best location for around $1,450 per month.
Bustling downtown San Antonio is a diverse, culturally rich community that represents the heart and soul of the city. Perhaps you've heard of San Antonio's famed River Walk? How about The Alamo? It's all downtown, along with an endless array of restaurants, bars and cultural attractions.
Expect to spend around $1,462 per month on rent to live in downtown San Antonio.
This hip, artsy hood is chock full of galleries, boutiques, good eats and nightlife. Who knew Ohio could be so cool? If contemporary art in converted warehouses is your scene, go ahead and give the Short North a closer look.
Good news: All that culture won't cost you N.Y. or L.A. prices. You'll pay around $1,517 for a one-bedroom in this Columbus gem.
The booming popularity of Downtown Phoenix has a little something to do with why this hopping 'hood is on our “most expensive" list. With endless entertainment options, killer shopping at CityScape Phoenix, an art scene and a deep inventory of luxury digs, there's good reason why people are flocking to this urban center.
Sound expensive? You could do much worse than $1,530 per month for a one-bedroom in the heart of the action.
Located on the shores of the St. John's River (hence the name), and not far from Jacksonville's sandy beaches, Riverside is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Expect ample boutiques, trendy restaurants and fun watering holes in this charming, walkable hood.
Living here among the millennials will set you back about $1,543 per month.
This historic district in uptown Detroit is situated a few miles north of the Detroit River. The bustling commercial area is home to General Motors' headquarters and was recently dubbed “The Next Hot Detroit Neighborhood" by Forbes.
Ready for some good news? Living in a one-bedroom here in New Center will “only" cost you $1,763 in monthly rent.
Admittedly, it may not have the sexiest name, but this community has Texas-sized clout. Fancy living within the largest medical complex in the world? Settle into Houston's “Medical Mini-City" and you could be neighbors with some of the country's top doctors and medical minds. Oh, and the zoo is right there too.
The price for this privilege? Around $2,068 per month in Medical Center.
Uptown's historic Fourth Ward oozes charm with its hundred-year-old homes and courtyard gardens. Walkable, tree-lined streets are home to ample eateries and entertainment options.
And while it's not technically a bargain, rent prices in this highly desirable downtown hood aren't as crazy as they could be. Think $2,158 per month for a one-bedroom.
Home to some of Baltimore's top attractions, this hopping neighborhood also features some of the city's best views. One of the city's oldest seaports, Inner Harbor offers prime waterside strolling and ample nightlife options at Power Plant Live!.
Ready to move in? Expect to write a rent check for roughly $2,282 per month.
There's good reason why 152 people move to Austin every single day. If you want to live in the heart of the action, downtown Austin is where you want to be.
From the city's music scene to its eclectic culture (ahem, “Keep Austin Weird"), it can all be yours in Downtown Austin for about $2,360 per month.
If an address is good enough for The Ritz-Carlton, chances are its swanky enough for you. This downtown neighborhood encompasses the financial district and the museum district.
Expect to pay around $2,460 per month to settle into Center City West.
Home of the American Airlines Center, the city's top sports and entertainment venue, Victory Park is a $3 billion, 75-acre master planned development just north of downtown's West End Historic District.
Does $2,505 fall within your monthly housing budget? If so, welcome to Victory Park.
Neighboring tony Cherry Creek, the suburban area of Belcaro features tree-lined roads, green parks and the historic Bonnie Brae area with its beloved boutiques and cafes.
You can call this quaint Denver community home for about $2,517 per month.
Want to live within walking distance of the Navy Pier? Stroll through the Magnificent Mile for a little aspirational window-shopping? Soak up the sun on the shores of Lake Michigan in the shadow of the Chicago skyline?
A Streeterville address can be yours for around $2,860 per month.
The name really says it all. Seattle's downtown Waterfront puts you on the shore of Puget Sound with views of the majestic Olympic Mountains. From Pike Place Market to Pioneer Square, this is prime Seattle real estate.
The cost? Expect to spend around $2,909 per month for a one-bedroom.
Nestled up to Waterfront Park on the bay, this trendy downtown community features chic cocktail spots, indie music venues and ample opportunities for alfresco eats on a pretty patio. Oh yeah, and then there are all those nearby beaches.
Sound appealing? You can call Little Italy home for around $3,224 per month.
Not to be mistaken for Beverly Hills, Beverly Grove is a bustling L.A. neighborhood featuring prime shopping, dining and yes, celebrity spotting.
Shop upscale boutiques on Robertson, dodge the paparazzi while you dine at The Ivy, then settle into your one-bedroom apartment, which will run you around $3,473 per month.
It costs a lot to live in the nation's capital, especially if you've got your heart set on the West End. Located close to Georgetown, Dupont Circle and downtown, this posh zip code is home to some of the city's best restaurants and high-end everything.
Set down some roots among D.C.'s movers and shakers for around $3,532 per month.
This small, tony Silicon Valley community is chock full of houses well over the million dollar mark. Not quite ready to invest that kind of green?
Get a feel for the walkable hood of The Villas by starting a bit smaller in a one-bedroom apartment — yours for just $3,539 per month.
Perched on South Boston's waterfront across from downtown, this prime real estate is one of the city's newest residential neighborhoods. Apartments here lean towards high-end industrial lofts and luxury buildings.
If you want to live in the white-hot Seaport District, expect to pay around $3,736 per month.
From Korean barbecue and karaoke to beauty supplies and Korean spas, Midtown Manhattan's K-town is one hopping hood. As you can imagine, the cost to live in New York's most expensive neighborhood is … significant.
The price to live in this popular spot? A cool $4,300 per month for a single bedroom in Koreatown.
Perhaps you've heard that San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in America (thanks, tech boom), so it makes sense that's it's also home to the most expensive neighborhood. Home to heavy hitter headquarters like Salesforce and Slack, plus outposts of Amazon, Google and more, Rincon Hill features sparkling high-rise living in the heart of San Francisco.
A one-bedroom apartment here will set you back about $4,794 per month. Perhaps it's time to cash in those stock options.
Cities listed in this article are the 25 most populated according to the U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
The rent information included in this article is based on April 2019 one-bedroom rental property inventory on ApartmentGuide.com and is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.