A new video from the popular YouTube channel World According to Briggs has gone viral for calling out what it dubs the “overpriced real estate circus” in the U.S.
The video, titled 15 US Cities That Aren’t Worth The Price Now, breaks down major metros that may look attractive on paper but are now widely considered too expensive for what they offer.
From sky-high housing costs to crumbling infrastructure and wages that can’t keep up, these cities are pricing people out while offering less and less in return.
What Makes a City Not Worth It?
According to Briggs, the list isn’t based just on home values.
“We looked at what you get for that over-the-top price tag,” he says. The cities are ranked from “mildly ridiculous to completely absurd,” with the cost of living outpacing income and livability across the board.
In some places, half a million dollars barely gets you a fixer-upper next to a loud alley.
In others, you’re paying coastal prices without access to beaches, safety, or decent infrastructure.
The 15 Cities That Miss the Mark
15. Austin, Texas
Once quirky and affordable, it is now a pricey tech hub with $550,000 homes and $1,800 rents.
Traffic is brutal, infrastructure is strained, and summers are punishing.
“Now it’s just Silicon Valley with cowboy boots.”
14. Denver, Colorado
$540,000 homes and $1,900 rents for a lifestyle that includes rising costs, stagnant wages, and crowded mountain trails.
“That’s a lot of money to live in a place where your backyard view of the Rockies usually includes a neighbor’s rusty grill.”
13. Portland, Oregon
$536,000 homes and $1,700 rents. Crime and homelessness have risen, while the quality of life has dropped.
“You’re paying out the nose for a quality of life that has been MIA for years.”
12. San Diego, California
$990,000 average home price and $2,700 rents.
“Good luck enjoying the perfect weather when you’re working two jobs to cover rent.”
The cost of living is about 50% higher than the national average, and unless you’re in biotech or the military, wages often don’t keep up.
Gas, groceries, and taxes eat into take-home pay, making life in paradise financially stressful for many.
11. Seattle, Washington
$850,000 homes, $2,300 rent. Amazon may pay well, but most residents aren’t tech workers.
“Unless your dream is to live paycheck to paycheck in a studio apartment the size of a broom closet, Seattle just isn’t worth it.”
10. Boston, Massachusetts
$750,000 homes and $2,600 rents.
“That’s Ivy League tuition money for the privilege of living in an apartment built before indoor plumbing was invented.”
On top of that, the city has high property taxes and one of the steepest costs of living in the country.
From groceries to utilities, nearly everything costs more. Add in freezing winters, and many residents feel like they’re paying luxury prices for a less-than-luxurious lifestyle.
9. Honolulu, Hawaii
$750,000 homes and $2,800 rents. Wages lag far behind, and basic necessities cost up to 60% more than the national average.
“Paradise shouldn’t come with a second mortgage for groceries.”
8. Washington, D.C.
$650,000 homes and $2,400 rents. Heavy traffic, muggy summers, and a cost of living 50% above the national average make it hard to justify.
7. Los Angeles, California
$900,000 homes and $2,500 rents.
“Dreams go to die in traffic” here, with high taxes and widespread homelessness.
Everything from gas to groceries comes at a premium, and many residents juggle multiple jobs just to afford basic living.
6. Miami, Florida
$600,000 homes and $2,500 rents. Low wages, high insurance, and climate risks.
“Unless you’re importing money from elsewhere, Miami is just a sun-soaked money pit.”
5. Oakland, California
$750,000 homes and $2,600 rents. Rising crime and theft add to the financial pressure.
“You can pay nearly a million dollars for a house and still have your catalytic converter stolen.”
4. San Jose, California
$1.44 million homes and $3,000 rents. High-paying jobs exist but don’t erase the city’s lack of character.
“It doesn’t have the beaches of Southern California or the landmarks of New York City. It’s just a suburb.”
3. San Francisco, California
$1.3 million homes and $3,200 rents. The city’s charm has eroded as homelessness, tech wealth, and hollowed-out downtowns define daily life.
2. New York City, New York
$795,000 homes ($1.2 million+ in Manhattan), $3,500 rents. Groceries, transportation, and housing costs are through the roof.
“That’s not living. That’s financial Stockholm syndrome.”
1. Beverly Hills, California
$3.4 million homes and $5,000 rents. It tops the list for being absurdly expensive with little practical value for non-celebrities.
“You’re not paying for better schools, safer streets, or better infrastructure. You’re paying for a zip code.”
Why These Cities Just Don’t Add Up Anymore
Across these 15 cities, the common thread is clear: high prices, flat wages, and declining livability.
As Briggs puts it, “Unless you’re loaded, you’ll just be broke in style here.”
The video has resonated with viewers across the country who are increasingly skeptical about the “American Dream” in today’s housing market.
For many, the price tags just aren’t worth the reality on the ground.