Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Salem, MA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Salem, MA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,841 per month in New York, NY vs $3,398 in Salem, MA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,287 per month in New York, NY vs $4,714 in Salem, MA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,734 per month in New York, NY vs $6,029 in Salem, MA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 42% more than Salem, MA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Salem, MA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 254%, Salem, MA by 148%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.33 $25.33

$25.47 $25.47

-0.55%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$99.1 $99.1

43.54%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.78 $13.78

$11.12 $11.12

23.92%

Cappuccino

$6.19 $6.19

$4.98 $4.98

24.30%

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

$3.69 $3.69

$2.56 $2.56

44.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$2.21 $2.21

33.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.76 $7.76

$8.12 $8.12

-4.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.14 $10.14

$6.98 $6.98

45.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.27 $1.27

9.45%

White Bread (500g)

$4.59 $4.59

$4.29 $4.29

6.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.94 $6.94

$4.42 $4.42

57.01%

Eggs

$5.79 $5.79

$4.30 $4.30

34.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.32 $17.32

$14.45 $14.45

19.86%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$11.58 $11.58

29.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.02 $18.02

$16.54 $16.54

8.95%

Apples (1kg)

$6.29 $6.29

$4.52 $4.52

39.16%

Banana (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.32 $1.32

61.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.80 $5.80

$4.31 $4.31

34.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.28 $6.28

$4.58 $4.58

37.12%

Potato (1kg)

$3.39 $3.39

$4.33 $4.33

-21.71%

Onion (1kg)

$4.27 $4.27

$2.88 $2.88

48.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.47 $2.47

12.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.21 $2.21

15.84%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.70 $18.70

$8.98 $8.98

108.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$20.30 $20.30

$12.94 $12.94

56.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.15 $3.15

$2.16 $2.16

45.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.03 $4.03

$3.38 $3.38

19.23%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.97 $2.97

$1.96 $1.96

51.53%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$138 $138

$54.4 $54.4

154.35%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.09 $3.09

$3.14 $3.14

-1.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.76 $1.76

21.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.56 $41.56

$31.60 $31.60

31.52%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$0.88 $0.88

28.41%

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

$35.4K $35.4K

$35.0K $35.0K

1.13%

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$25.5K $25.5K

0.31%

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

$236 $236

$202 $202

16.93%

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

$73.7 $73.7

$58.0 $58.0

27.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.4 $72.4

$67.5 $67.5

7.31%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$125 $125

$43.23 $43.23

189.59%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$63.1 $63.1

Cinema Ticket

$23.37 $23.37

$15.01 $15.01

55.70%

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

$3,353 $3,353

$1,368 $1,368

145.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$61.0K $61.0K

$23.1K $23.1K

163.32%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.4 $72.4

$70.1 $70.1

3.37%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.2 $52.2

$57.6 $57.6

-9.51%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$95.1 $95.1

22.48%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$124 $124

$99.7 $99.7

24.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,438 $4,438

$2,404 $2,404

84.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,045 $3,045

$1,959 $1,959

55.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$9,088 $9,088

$3,507 $3,507

159.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,404 $5,404

$2,871 $2,871

88.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.8K $18.8K

$2,753 $2,753

583.26%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,500 $6,500

$2,377 $2,377

173.46%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,258 $5,258

$9,443 $9,443

-44.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

6.12

6.05%

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

Last update for New York, NY: September 12, 2026

Last update for Salem, MA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,438 in New York, NY versus $2,404 in Salem, MA. 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 80% higher in Salem, MA, 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 $99.0 in Salem, MA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $516 vs $410 – making Salem, MA 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 Salem, MA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 42% more than Salem, MA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,261 per month in New York, NY and $5,097 in Salem, MA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $3,353 per month in New York, NY and $1,368 in Salem, MA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 26% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,841 in New York, NY and $3,398 in Salem, MA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Salem, MA costs $3,398 versus $4,841 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Salem, MA. 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.