Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Williamsburg, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Williamsburg, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,878 per month in New York, NY vs $2,798 in Williamsburg, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,262 per month in New York, NY vs $4,166 in Williamsburg, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,645 per month in New York, NY vs $5,535 in Williamsburg, VA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 74% more than Williamsburg, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Williamsburg, VA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 255%, Williamsburg, VA by 104%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.20 $25.20

$18.62 $18.62

35.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$150 $150

$73.8 $73.8

103.56%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.98 $13.98

$12.88 $12.88

8.54%

Cappuccino

$6.39 $6.39

$5.43 $5.43

17.68%

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

$4.01 $4.01

$2.80 $2.80

43.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.16 $2.16

34.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.01 $8.01

$5.13 $5.13

56.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.94 $9.94

$7.68 $7.68

29.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.10 $1.10

20.91%

White Bread (500g)

$4.80 $4.80

$3.81 $3.81

25.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.81 $6.81

$3.85 $3.85

76.88%

Eggs

$5.67 $5.67

$3.50 $3.50

62.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.66 $16.66

$13.19 $13.19

26.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.82 $14.82

$8.34 $8.34

77.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.90 $18.90

$14.90 $14.90

26.85%

Apples (1kg)

$6.03 $6.03

$5.57 $5.57

8.26%

Banana (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.31 $1.31

64.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.67 $5.67

$4.72 $4.72

20.13%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.07 $6.07

$3.47 $3.47

74.93%

Potato (1kg)

$3.49 $3.49

$5.61 $5.61

-37.79%

Onion (1kg)

$4.14 $4.14

$3.33 $3.33

24.32%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.56 $1.56

71.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.76 $1.76

45.45%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.04 $19.04

$6.25 $6.25

204.64%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.73 $19.73

$10.65 $10.65

85.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.31 $2.31

42.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.97 $3.97

$3.70 $3.70

7.30%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.47 $1.47

103.40%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$140 $140

$45.31 $45.31

209.64%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.95 $2.95

-0.34%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.48 $1.48

43.24%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.24 $41.24

$22.39 $22.39

84.19%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.11 $1.11

$0.82 $0.82

35.37%

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

$35.2K $35.2K

$36.7K $36.7K

-4.13%

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

$25.2K $25.2K

$25.1K $25.1K

0.22%

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

$218 $218

$191 $191

14.41%

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

$76.5 $76.5

$47.44 $47.44

61.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.0 $76.0

$60.6 $60.6

25.45%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$128 $128

$95.6 $95.6

33.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$63.2 $63.2

$25.19 $25.19

150.93%

Cinema Ticket

$23.94 $23.94

$14.71 $14.71

62.75%

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

$3,313 $3,313

$1,890 $1,890

75.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$60.8K $60.8K

$24.2K $24.2K

151.23%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$74.0 $74.0

$37.07 $37.07

99.57%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.3 $56.3

$34.71 $34.71

62.11%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$85.3 $85.3

36.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$130 $130

$151 $151

-14.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,391 $4,391

$2,215 $2,215

98.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,088 $3,088

$1,510 $1,510

104.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$9,291 $9,291

$2,677 $2,677

247.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,460 $5,460

$2,705 $2,705

101.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$19.3K $19.3K

$2,183 $2,183

783.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,723 $6,723

$1,704 $1,704

294.63%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,364 $5,364

$4,392 $4,392

22.13%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

6.34

1.42%

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

Last update for New York, NY: August 29, 2026

Last update for Williamsburg, VA: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,391 in New York, NY versus $2,215 in Williamsburg, VA. 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 22% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $150 in New York, NY versus $74.0 in Williamsburg, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $512 vs $368 – making Williamsburg, VA 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 Williamsburg, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 74% more than Williamsburg, VA, 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 $7,317 per month in New York, NY and $4,197 in Williamsburg, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $3,313 per month in New York, NY and $1,890 in Williamsburg, VA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 39% 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 $4,878 in New York, NY and $2,798 in Williamsburg, VA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Williamsburg, VA costs $2,798 versus $4,878 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 Williamsburg, VA. 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.