Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Plano, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Plano, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,459 per month in New York, NY vs $2,757 in Plano, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,988 per month in New York, NY vs $4,340 in Plano, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,517 per month in New York, NY vs $5,923 in Plano, TX, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 62% more than Plano, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both New York, NY and Plano, TX sit above the global median – New York, NY by 234%, Plano, TX by 106%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.11 $30.11

$17.76 $17.76

69.54%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$143 $143

$75.8 $75.8

88.30%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.67 $12.67

$9.93 $9.93

27.59%

Cappuccino

$6.07 $6.07

$4.91 $4.91

23.63%

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

$3.27 $3.27

$2.57 $2.57

27.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.02 $2.02

28.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.97 $7.97

$6.16 $6.16

29.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.18 $12.18

$7.12 $7.12

71.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.01 $1.01

52.48%

White Bread (500g)

$5.07 $5.07

$3.02 $3.02

67.88%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.39 $8.39

$5.06 $5.06

65.81%

Eggs

$7.11 $7.11

$4.14 $4.14

71.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.70 $17.70

$13.04 $13.04

35.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.71 $16.71

$13.99 $13.99

19.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.85 $19.85

$17.61 $17.61

12.72%

Apples (1kg)

$7.38 $7.38

$6.01 $6.01

22.80%

Banana (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.45 $1.45

76.55%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.84 $5.84

$4.40 $4.40

32.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.35 $6.35

$4.16 $4.16

52.64%

Potato (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$3.77 $3.77

-0.53%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.19 $3.19

27.27%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.14 $3.14

$2.04 $2.04

53.92%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.37 $2.37

4.64%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.70 $18.70

$10.19 $10.19

83.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.79 $19.79

$15.19 $15.19

30.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.02 $3.02

$1.69 $1.69

78.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.46 $3.46

8.09%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.85 $2.85

$5.14 $5.14

-44.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$133 $133

$104 $104

28.72%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.94 $4.94

$3.06 $3.06

61.44%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.23 $2.23

$1.71 $1.71

30.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.11 $42.11

$23.82 $23.82

76.78%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.76 $0.76

27.63%

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

$34.8K $34.8K

0.12%

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

$27.7K $27.7K

$28.1K $28.1K

-1.33%

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

$180 $180

$191 $191

-5.41%

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

$60.4 $60.4

$46.20 $46.20

30.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.6 $62.6

$64.0 $64.0

-2.19%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$142 $142

$81.5 $81.5

73.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$64.8 $64.8

$50.9 $50.9

27.15%

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$12.77 $12.77

56.46%

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

$3,220 $3,220

$1,142 $1,142

181.88%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.0K $57.0K

$17.7K $17.7K

222.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.3 $67.3

$53.4 $53.4

26.18%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.36 $48.36

$37.99 $37.99

27.30%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 $113

$102 $102

9.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$171 $171

$129 $129

32.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,136 $4,136

$1,638 $1,638

152.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,635 $2,635

$1,359 $1,359

93.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,333 $8,333

$2,929 $2,929

184.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,118 $5,118

$2,732 $2,732

87.34%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.7K $18.7K

$2,367 $2,367

687.91%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,464 $6,464

$2,367 $2,367

173.08%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,420 $5,420

$5,631 $5,631

-3.74%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.36

1.26%

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

Last update for New York, NY: July 19, 2026

Last update for Plano, TX: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,136 in New York, NY versus $1,638 in Plano, TX. 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 4% higher in Plano, TX, 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 $143 in New York, NY versus $76.0 in Plano, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $555 vs $416 – making Plano, TX 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 Plano, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 62% more than Plano, TX, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,688 per month in New York, NY and $4,136 in Plano, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $3,220 per month in New York, NY and $1,142 in Plano, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 33% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,459 in New York, NY and $2,757 in Plano, TX. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Plano, TX costs $2,757 versus $4,459 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Plano, TX. 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.