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 $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $2,637 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $4,035 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $5,433 in University Place, WA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 71% 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 236%, University Place, WA by 97%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$16.29 $16.29

85.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$116 $116

22.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$12.61 $12.61

0.32%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$6.23 $6.23

-6.74%

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

$3.26 $3.26

$2.93 $2.93

11.26%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.47 $2.47

4.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$9.09 $9.09

-9.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$11.78 $11.78

0.34%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.13 $1.13

35.40%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$4.22 $4.22

24.88%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$2.71 $2.71

207.75%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$4.94 $4.94

46.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$11.32 $11.32

52.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$16.32 $16.32

-0.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$19.04 $19.04

4.10%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$5.28 $5.28

43.37%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.63 $1.63

48.47%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$4.98 $4.98

17.07%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$3.74 $3.74

70.86%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.32 $3.32

16.57%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$2.82 $2.82

43.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.00 $2.00

56.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$3.03 $3.03

-19.14%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$11.06 $11.06

74.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$18.80 $18.80

6.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.72 $1.72

73.84%

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

$1.95 $1.95

45.64%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$2.56 $2.56

99.61%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.95 $1.95

8.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$29.84 $29.84

41.79%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.15 $1.15

-15.65%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

$30.1K $30.1K

15.35%

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

$27.8K $27.8K

$25.4K $25.4K

9.39%

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

$181 $181

$159 $159

14.26%

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

$60.2 $60.2

$52.3 $52.3

15.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$88.1 $88.1

-29.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$42.32 $42.32

238.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$17.74 $17.74

12.63%

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

$3,216 $3,216

$2,052 $2,052

56.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$29.6K $29.6K

93.06%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$60.1 $60.1

12.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$37.35 $37.35

27.66%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$98.5 $98.5

12.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$113 $113

49.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$1,594 $1,594

156.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$1,329 $1,329

102.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$2,589 $2,589

226.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$2,253 $2,253

127.56%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

$2,770 $2,770

556.30%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

$2,449 $2,449

157.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$7,868 $7,868

-29.59%

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 University Place, WA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $1,594 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 42% 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 $142 in New York, NY versus $116 in University Place, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $445 – 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 71% 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 $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $3,955 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 $4,503 in New York, NY and $2,637 in University Place, WA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $3,216 per month in New York, NY and $2,052 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 $4,503 in New York, NY and $2,637 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 $2,637 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 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.