Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Fullerton, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Fullerton, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $3,383 in Fullerton, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $5,196 in Fullerton, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $7,008 in Fullerton, CA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 33% more than Fullerton, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Fullerton, CA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 236%, Fullerton, CA by 152%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$25.15 $25.15

20.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$84.0 $84.0

69.47%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$11.31 $11.31

11.85%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.42 $5.42

7.20%

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

$3.26 $3.26

$2.74 $2.74

18.98%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.03 $2.03

27.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$7.28 $7.28

12.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$8.62 $8.62

37.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.19 $1.19

28.57%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$4.00 $4.00

31.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$4.14 $4.14

101.45%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$4.38 $4.38

65.53%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$10.87 $10.87

59.06%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$8.79 $8.79

84.41%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$14.80 $14.80

33.92%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$3.38 $3.38

123.96%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.92 $1.92

26.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$3.79 $3.79

53.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$5.60 $5.60

14.11%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.27 $3.27

18.35%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.26 $3.26

24.54%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.49 $1.49

109.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.11 $2.11

16.11%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$11.07 $11.07

73.98%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$15.27 $15.27

30.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.77 $1.77

68.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.65 $4.65

-19.78%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.29 $2.29

24.02%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

$63.3 $63.3

112.22%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.05 $4.05

26.17%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.66 $1.66

27.11%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$32.28 $32.28

31.07%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.27 $1.27

-23.62%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

$24.2K $24.2K

43.27%

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

$27.8K $27.8K

$24.1K $24.1K

15.45%

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

$181 $181

$198 $198

-8.39%

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

$60.2 $60.2

$49.86 $49.86

20.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$65.6 $65.6

-4.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$39.74 $39.74

260.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$14.07 $14.07

42.00%

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

$3,216 $3,216

$1,378 $1,378

133.43%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$39.4K $39.4K

44.98%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$70.3 $70.3

-4.01%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$35.06 $35.06

36.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$83.9 $83.9

32.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$118 $118

43.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$2,625 $2,625

55.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$2,017 $2,017

33.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$3,887 $3,887

117.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$4,012 $4,012

27.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

$5,437 $5,437

234.35%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$4,607 $4,607

20.24%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.58

-2.13%

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 Fullerton, CA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $2,625 in Fullerton, CA. 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 20% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $142 in New York, NY versus $84.0 in Fullerton, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $375 – making Fullerton, CA 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 Fullerton, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $4,503 in New York, NY, $3,383 in Fullerton, CA – roughly 33% apart. New York, NY costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $5,075 in Fullerton, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $3,216 per month in New York, NY and $1,378 in Fullerton, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 48% more in New York, NY, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,503 in New York, NY and $3,383 in Fullerton, CA. 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 $3,383 in Fullerton, CA to $4,503 in New York, NY. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Fullerton, CA. 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.