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

😐 Solo nomad: New York, NY is 63.8% more expensive than Monterey, CA without rent, and 35.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: New York, NY is 40.7% more expensive than Monterey, CA without rent, and 48.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.68 $29.68
$16.22 $16.22
82.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$144 $144
$64.9 $64.9
122.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.43 $12.43
$9.45 $9.45
31.53%
Cappuccino
$5.84 $5.84
$4.48 $4.48
30.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 $3.26
$3.16 $3.16
3.16%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.63 $1.63
58.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.24 $8.24
$5.86 $5.86
40.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.86 $11.86
$4.44 $4.44
167.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.56 $1.56
$1.34 $1.34
16.42%
White Bread (500g)
$5.23 $5.23
$3.41 $3.41
53.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$8.11 $8.11
$4.37 $4.37
85.58%
Eggs
$7.25 $7.25
$4 $4
81.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.08 $17.08
$9.38 $9.38
82.09%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.24 $16.24
$17.66 $17.66
-8.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.02 $20.02
$14.04 $14.04
42.59%
Apples (1kg)
$7.49 $7.49
$3.85 $3.85
94.55%
Banana (1kg)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.15 $1.15
121.74%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.82 $5.82
$2.46 $2.46
136.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.52 $6.52
$2.23 $2.23
192.38%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 $3.72
$1.92 $1.92
93.75%
Onion (1kg)
$3.9 $3.9
$2.23 $2.23
74.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.07 $3.07
$1.83 $1.83
67.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$1.94 $1.94
32.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$19.21 $19.21
$12.16 $12.16
57.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.79 $17.79
$17.28 $17.28
2.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.01 $3.01
$2.2 $2.2
36.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$2.44 $2.44
52.46%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.04 $2.04
43.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$134 $134
$53 $53
152.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.13 $5.13
$1.58 $1.58
224.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 $2.15
$0.89 $0.89
141.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.57 $41.57
$28.75 $28.75
44.59%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.22 $1.22
-22.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35K $35K
$24.2K $24.2K
44.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$24.2K $24.2K
14.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$179 $179
$188 $188
-4.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60 $60
$51.7 $51.7
15.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.8 $63.8
$61.8 $61.8
3.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$141 $141
$43.27 $43.27
225.19%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$63.9 $63.9
$10.52 $10.52
507.41%
Cinema Ticket
$19.9 $19.9
$12.3 $12.3
61.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,206 $3,206
$570 $570
462.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$56.5K $56.5K
$12.5K $12.5K
350.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.7 $65.7
$68.4 $68.4
-3.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.75 $48.75
$119 $119
-58.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 $111
$98.5 $98.5
12.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$172 $172
$202 $202
-14.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,165 $4,165
$2,323 $2,323
79.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,653 $2,653
$2,004 $2,004
32.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,412 $8,412
$3,623 $3,623
132.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,277 $5,277
$3,664 $3,664
44.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$15.6K $15.6K
$7,809 $7,809
100.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$11.2K $11.2K
$5,920 $5,920
88.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Monterey, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,616 $5,616
$4,380 $4,380
28.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.4
0.63%

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

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

Last update for Monterey, CA: October 29, 2025

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