Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and University Place, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and University Place, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,438 per month in New York, NY vs $2,695 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,016 per month in New York, NY vs $4,006 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,593 per month in New York, NY vs $5,317 in University Place, WA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 65% more than University Place, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both New York, NY and University Place, WA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 231%, University Place, WA by 101%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.91 $29.91

$16.21 $16.21

84.52%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$144 $144

$120 $120

20.22%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.32 $12.32

$12.56 $12.56

-1.91%

Cappuccino

$6.03 $6.03

$5.98 $5.98

0.84%

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

$3.39 $3.39

$2.97 $2.97

14.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.37 $2.37

8.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.20 $8.20

$9.02 $9.02

-9.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.95 $11.95

$11.88 $11.88

0.59%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.12 $1.12

37.50%

White Bread (500g)

$5.15 $5.15

$4.24 $4.24

21.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.43 $8.43

$2.73 $2.73

208.79%

Eggs

$6.97 $6.97

$4.98 $4.98

39.96%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.28 $17.28

$11.56 $11.56

49.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.24 $16.24

$16.21 $16.21

0.19%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.95 $19.95

$19.13 $19.13

4.29%

Apples (1kg)

$7.45 $7.45

$5.20 $5.20

43.27%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.70 $1.70

42.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.87 $5.87

$5.00 $5.00

17.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.31 $6.31

$3.71 $3.71

70.08%

Potato (1kg)

$3.72 $3.72

$3.29 $3.29

13.07%

Onion (1kg)

$3.99 $3.99

$2.74 $2.74

45.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.19 $3.19

$1.98 $1.98

61.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.00 $3.00

-15.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.09 $19.09

$11.04 $11.04

72.92%

Wine (Bottle)

$20.24 $20.24

$18.24 $18.24

10.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.71 $1.71

74.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.59 $3.59

7.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.95 $2.95

$1.95 $1.95

51.28%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$131 $131

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.13 $5.13

$2.65 $2.65

93.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.00 $2.00

10.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.64 $42.64

$30.03 $30.03

41.99%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$1.19 $1.19

-20.17%

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

$34.5K $34.5K

$30.4K $30.4K

13.42%

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

$28.2K $28.2K

$25.5K $25.5K

10.70%

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

$182 $182

$159 $159

14.64%

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

$60.1 $60.1

$53.1 $53.1

13.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.9 $61.9

$86.5 $86.5

-28.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$140 $140

$42.45 $42.45

229.85%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$64.4 $64.4

Cinema Ticket

$20.33 $20.33

$18.09 $18.09

12.38%

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

$3,222 $3,222

$2,086 $2,086

54.43%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$56.2K $56.2K

$29.4K $29.4K

91.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.9 $65.9

$58.5 $58.5

12.74%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.20 $47.20

$38.21 $38.21

23.53%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$96.9 $96.9

14.68%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$173 $173

$113 $113

53.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,208 $4,208

$1,613 $1,613

160.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,647 $2,647

$1,337 $1,337

97.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,415 $8,415

$2,657 $2,657

216.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,170 $5,170

$2,240 $2,240

130.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$20.1K $20.1K

$2,593 $2,593

674.99%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,742 $8,742

$2,641 $2,641

231.00%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,144 $5,144

$8,094 $8,094

-36.45%

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: April 20, 2026

Last update for University Place, WA: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,208 in New York, NY versus $1,613 in University Place, WA. 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 57% higher in University Place, WA, 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 $144 in New York, NY versus $120 in University Place, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $444 – making University Place, WA 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 University Place, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 65% more than University Place, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,657 per month in New York, NY and $4,043 in University Place, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,438 in New York, NY and $2,695 in University Place, WA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $3,222 per month in New York, NY and $2,086 in University Place, WA. 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 $4,438 in New York, NY and $2,695 in University Place, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. University Place, WA costs $2,695 versus $4,438 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 University Place, WA. 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.