Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Scottsdale, AZ Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Scottsdale, AZ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $3,051 in Scottsdale, AZ, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $4,338 in Scottsdale, AZ, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $5,624 in Scottsdale, AZ, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 48% more than Scottsdale, AZ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Scottsdale, AZ sit above the global median – New York, NY by 236%, Scottsdale, AZ by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$18.51 $18.51

63.59%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$75.7 $75.7

88.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$12.23 $12.23

3.43%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.50 $5.50

5.64%

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

$3.26 $3.26

$2.81 $2.81

16.01%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.13 $2.13

21.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$5.83 $5.83

40.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$6.90 $6.90

71.30%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$0.90 $0.90

70.00%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$3.49 $3.49

51.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$4.93 $4.93

69.17%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$4.11 $4.11

76.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$11.21 $11.21

54.24%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$11.67 $11.67

38.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$14.73 $14.73

34.56%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$4.56 $4.56

66.01%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.49 $1.49

62.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$3.95 $3.95

47.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$4.14 $4.14

54.35%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$2.88 $2.88

34.38%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$2.40 $2.40

69.17%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.93 $1.93

61.66%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.52 $2.52

-2.78%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$9.07 $9.07

112.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$13.66 $13.66

46.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.07 $2.07

44.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.46 $3.46

7.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.32 $2.32

22.41%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

$43.34 $43.34

209.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$2.81 $2.81

81.85%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.41 $1.41

49.65%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$36.57 $36.57

15.70%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.98 $0.98

-1.02%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

$30.7K $30.7K

12.95%

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

$27.8K $27.8K

$26.3K $26.3K

5.79%

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

$181 $181

$261 $261

-30.52%

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

$60.2 $60.2

$70.4 $70.4

-14.46%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$80.1 $80.1

-22.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$34.20 $34.20

318.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$12.98 $12.98

53.93%

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

$3,216 $3,216

$1,154 $1,154

178.64%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$15.8K $15.8K

262.17%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$51.3 $51.3

31.60%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$41.61 $41.61

14.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$84.2 $84.2

32.06%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$119 $119

42.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$1,860 $1,860

120.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$1,701 $1,701

58.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$3,468 $3,468

143.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$2,794 $2,794

83.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

$3,723 $3,723

388.33%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

$4,576 $4,576

37.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$5,647 $5,647

-1.90%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.51

-1.08%

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 Scottsdale, AZ: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $1,860 in Scottsdale, AZ. 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 2% higher in Scottsdale, AZ, 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 $76.0 in Scottsdale, AZ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $380 – making Scottsdale, AZ 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 Scottsdale, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 48% more than Scottsdale, AZ, 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 $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $4,577 in Scottsdale, AZ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Scottsdale, AZ, 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 $1,154 in Scottsdale, AZ. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 46% 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 $3,051 in Scottsdale, AZ. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Scottsdale, AZ costs $3,051 versus $4,503 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 Scottsdale, AZ. 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.