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 $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $2,896 in Williamsburg, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $4,154 in Williamsburg, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $5,412 in Williamsburg, VA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 55% 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 236%, Williamsburg, VA by 116%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$19.75 $19.75

53.32%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$81.1 $81.1

75.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$13.37 $13.37

-5.39%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.44 $5.44

6.80%

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

$3.26 $3.26

$2.86 $2.86

13.99%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.22 $2.22

16.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$5.95 $5.95

37.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$7.64 $7.64

54.71%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$0.96 $0.96

59.38%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$3.21 $3.21

64.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$3.96 $3.96

110.61%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$3.58 $3.58

102.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$13.30 $13.30

30.00%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$8.04 $8.04

101.62%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$14.90 $14.90

33.02%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$6.71 $6.71

12.82%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.31 $1.31

84.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$4.78 $4.78

21.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$3.41 $3.41

87.39%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.57 $3.57

8.40%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$2.78 $2.78

46.04%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.59 $1.59

96.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.80 $1.80

36.11%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$6.36 $6.36

202.83%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$10.36 $10.36

92.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.67 $2.67

11.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.64 $3.64

2.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.97 $1.97

44.16%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$3.55 $3.55

43.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.42 $2.42

-12.81%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$29.75 $29.75

42.22%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.83 $0.83

16.87%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

$29.1K $29.1K

19.47%

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

$27.8K $27.8K

$26.6K $26.6K

4.34%

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

$181 $181

$188 $188

-3.68%

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

$60.2 $60.2

$55.7 $55.7

8.21%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$67.1 $67.1

-6.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$96.9 $96.9

47.75%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

$25.06 $25.06

160.42%

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$15.26 $15.26

30.93%

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

$3,216 $3,216

$1,734 $1,734

85.44%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$24.2K $24.2K

136.50%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$37.29 $37.29

81.01%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$35.52 $35.52

34.23%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$95.5 $95.5

16.46%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$153 $153

10.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$2,383 $2,383

71.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$1,548 $1,548

74.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$2,615 $2,615

222.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$2,570 $2,570

99.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

$2,148 $2,148

746.34%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

$1,748 $1,748

260.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$4,480 $4,480

23.64%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.6

-2.42%

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 Williamsburg, VA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $2,383 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 24% 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 $142 in New York, NY versus $81.0 in Williamsburg, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $360 – 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 55% 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 $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $4,344 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,503 in New York, NY and $2,896 in Williamsburg, VA. 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 $1,734 in Williamsburg, VA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,503 in New York, NY and $2,896 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 $2,896 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 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.