Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and College Park, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and College Park, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $2,987 in College Park, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $4,464 in College Park, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $5,940 in College Park, MD, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 51% more than College Park, MD, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both New York, NY and College Park, MD sit above the global median – New York, NY by 236%, College Park, MD by 123%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$19.69 $19.69

53.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$81.4 $81.4

74.97%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$13.13 $13.13

-3.66%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.55 $5.55

4.68%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 $3.26

$2.78 $2.78

17.27%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.33 $2.33

10.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$5.84 $5.84

40.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$7.65 $7.65

54.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$0.91 $0.91

68.13%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$3.36 $3.36

56.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$7.30 $7.30

14.25%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$4.95 $4.95

46.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$18.79 $18.79

-7.98%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$10.20 $10.20

58.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$16.18 $16.18

22.50%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$6.37 $6.37

18.84%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.74 $1.74

39.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$7.93 $7.93

-26.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$6.70 $6.70

-4.63%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$4.87 $4.87

-20.53%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.59 $3.59

13.09%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.27 $2.27

37.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.39 $2.39

2.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$11.40 $11.40

68.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$13.88 $13.88

43.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.71 $1.71

74.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.85 $3.85

-3.12%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.05 $2.05

38.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.42 $4.42

15.61%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.52 $1.52

38.82%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$29.43 $29.43

43.76%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.87 $0.87

11.49%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.7K $34.7K

$26.6K $26.6K

30.64%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.8K $27.8K

$25.0K $25.0K

11.06%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$181 $181

$221 $221

-18.04%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.2 $60.2

$63.8 $63.8

-5.51%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$73.2 $73.2

-14.60%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$40.02 $40.02

257.60%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$15.17 $15.17

31.71%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,216 $3,216

$1,761 $1,761

82.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$24.3K $24.3K

135.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$54.4 $54.4

24.10%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$31.85 $31.85

49.70%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$97.2 $97.2

14.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$178 $178

-5.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$1,668 $1,668

145.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$1,593 $1,593

69.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$3,555 $3,555

137.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$2,765 $2,765

85.47%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$6,470 $6,470

-14.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.57

-1.98%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: June 1, 2026

Last update for College Park, MD: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $1,668 in College Park, MD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 17% higher in College Park, MD, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $142 in New York, NY versus $81.0 in College Park, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $459 – making College Park, MD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

New York, NY vs College Park, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $4,503 in New York, NY, $2,987 in College Park, MD – roughly 51% apart. New York, NY costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $4,480 in College Park, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in College Park, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,503 in New York, NY and $2,987 in College Park, MD. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $3,216 per month in New York, NY and $1,761 in College Park, MD. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,503 in New York, NY and $2,987 in College Park, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. New York, NY has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,987 in College Park, MD to $4,503 in New York, NY. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with College Park, MD. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.