Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and San Rafael, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and San Rafael, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $4,491 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $5,708 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $6,925 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

New York, NY and San Rafael, CA have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both New York, NY and San Rafael, CA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 236%, San Rafael, CA by 235%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$22.75 $22.75

33.10%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$64.5 $64.5

120.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$10.91 $10.91

15.95%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.50 $5.50

5.64%

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

$3.26 $3.26

$2.69 $2.69

21.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.46 $2.46

4.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$5.94 $5.94

37.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$9.31 $9.31

26.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.24 $1.24

23.39%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$3.99 $3.99

32.08%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$6.89 $6.89

21.04%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$4.65 $4.65

55.91%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$15.23 $15.23

13.53%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$12.96 $12.96

25.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$18.41 $18.41

7.66%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$4.91 $4.91

54.18%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.82 $2.82

-14.18%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$5.88 $5.88

-0.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$8.58 $8.58

-25.52%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.95 $3.95

-2.03%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.94 $3.94

3.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.41 $2.41

29.46%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.94 $2.94

-16.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$10.96 $10.96

75.73%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$13.55 $13.55

47.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.16 $2.16

38.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.47 $3.47

7.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.54 $1.54

84.42%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

$30.49 $30.49

340.31%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$3.54 $3.54

44.35%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.58 $1.58

33.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$28.98 $28.98

46.00%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.29 $1.29

-24.81%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

$27.0K $27.0K

28.75%

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

$27.8K $27.8K

$27.3K $27.3K

1.86%

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

$181 $181

$186 $186

-2.50%

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

$60.2 $60.2

$51.4 $51.4

17.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$61.9 $61.9

0.97%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$254 $254

-43.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

$39.39 $39.39

65.68%

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$14.28 $14.28

39.92%

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

$3,216 $3,216

$2,009 $2,009

60.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$23.7K $23.7K

141.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$41.32 $41.32

63.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$38.45 $38.45

24.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$101 $101

10.24%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$125 $125

34.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$3,431 $3,431

19.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$2,796 $2,796

-3.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$4,056 $4,056

108.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$3,280 $3,280

56.34%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

$7,503 $7,503

142.28%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

$5,375 $5,375

17.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$5,354 $5,354

3.48%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.32

1.90%

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 San Rafael, CA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $3,431 in San Rafael, 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 3% higher in New York, NY. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $142 in New York, NY versus $65.0 in San Rafael, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $481 – making San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $6,737 in San Rafael, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 15% 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.

Kindergarten costs $3,216 per month in New York, NY and $2,009 in San Rafael, CA. 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 $4,491 in San Rafael, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. San Rafael, CA costs $4,491 versus $4,503 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 San Rafael, 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.