Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Yellowknife

For one person, living is cheaper in Yellowknife: $2,992 a month against $4,906 in New York, NY, rent and utilities included – about $23,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

New York, NY, United States
Yellowknife, Canada
New York, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$4,906
/mo nomad
Yellowknife
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,992
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in New York, NY and in Yellowknife

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in New York, NY and in Yellowknife actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $4,906 per month in New York, NY vs $2,992 in Yellowknife, rent included.

  • New York, NY $4,906
  • Yellowknife $2,992

A couple spends around $7,273 per month in New York, NY vs $4,177 in Yellowknife, rent included.

  • New York, NY $7,273
  • Yellowknife $4,177

A family of three spends $9,641 per month in New York, NY vs $5,362 in Yellowknife, rent included.

  • New York, NY $9,641
  • Yellowknife $5,362

New York, NY costs about 64% more than Yellowknife, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both New York, NY and Yellowknife sit above the global median – New York, NY by 263%, Yellowknife by 121%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$26.93 $26.93
$19.47 CA$27.39
38.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$117 $117
$85.5 CA$120
36.63%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.60 $14.60
$8.51 CA$11.96
71.56%
Cappuccino
$6.54 $6.54
$4.30 CA$6.05
52.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86 $3.86
$2.31 CA$3.25
67.10%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.07 CA$2.92
42.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.08 $8.08
$6.57 CA$9.25
22.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.85 $9.85
$7.18 CA$10.09
37.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.31 $1.31
$2.83 CA$3.98
-53.71%
White Bread (500g)
$4.97 $4.97
$2.76 CA$3.88
80.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.70 $7.70
$4.73 CA$6.65
62.79%
Eggs
$6.09 $6.09
$3.16 CA$4.45
92.72%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.55 $19.55
$7.13 CA$10.03
174.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$17.59 $17.59
$16.48 CA$23.18
6.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.26 $20.26
$15.54 CA$21.86
30.37%
Apples (1kg)
$6.99 $6.99
$4.74 CA$6.66
47.47%
Banana (1kg)
$2.21 $2.21
$1.48 CA$2.07
49.32%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.72 $6.72
$5.41 CA$7.61
24.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$7.12 $7.12
$7.31 CA$10.28
-2.60%
Potato (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
$4.41 CA$6.21
4.54%
Onion (1kg)
$4.78 $4.78
$3.54 CA$4.97
35.03%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.87 $2.87
$3.40 CA$4.79
-15.59%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.69 $2.69
$1.12 CA$1.57
140.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$19.14 $19.14
$17.66 CA$24.84
8.38%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.63 $19.63
$14.04 CA$19.74
39.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.32 $3.32
$4.21 CA$5.92
-21.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$6.46 CA$9.08
-35.14%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.02 $3.02
$1.46 CA$2.06
106.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$139 $139
$53.7 CA$75.6
159.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.04 $3.04
$3.46 CA$4.86
-12.14%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.20 $2.20
$2.20 CA$3.10
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.33 $41.33
$40.48 CA$56.9
2.10%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$1.30 CA$1.82
-13.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K $34.5K
$24.5K CA$34.4K
40.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$20.0K CA$28.1K
29.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$232 $232
$360 CA$506
-35.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$71.0 $71.0
$59.9 CA$84.3
18.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.7 $67.7
$101 CA$142
-33.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$115 $115
$72.7 CA$102
58.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$76.8 $76.8
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$22.41 $22.41
$9.83 CA$13.83
127.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,606 $3,606
$606 CA$852
495.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$68.7K $68.7K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.3 $79.3
$64.4 CA$90.6
23.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.4 $51.4
$35.13 CA$49.40
46.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$121 $121
$102 CA$143
18.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140 $140
$117 CA$165
19.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,555 $4,555
$1,629 CA$2,291
179.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,040 $3,040
$1,426 CA$2,005
113.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$9,742 $9,742
$2,442 CA$3,434
299.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,331 $5,331
$2,096 CA$2,948
154.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$18.2K $18.2K
$3,108 CA$4,371
486.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,685 $6,685
$2,850 CA$4,009
134.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Yellowknife
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,096 $5,096
$4,649 CA$6,537
9.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.89
5.32
29.51%

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

Last update for New York, NY: November 1, 2026

Last update for Yellowknife: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
$3K
Yellowknife
$1.4K 53.1% $1.6K
Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
$567
Yellowknife
$438 22.8% $129
Eating Out
New York, NY
$425
Yellowknife
$298 30% $127
Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
$371
Yellowknife
$521 40.3% $150
Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
$176
Yellowknife
$143 18.7% $33
Getting Around
New York, NY
$165
Yellowknife
$74 55.2% $91
Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
$160
Yellowknife
$92 42.3% $68

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,555 in New York, NY versus $1,629 in Yellowknife. 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 10% 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 $117 in New York, NY versus $85 in Yellowknife. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $567 vs $438 – making Yellowknife the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 New York, NY
🇨🇦 Yellowknife
🕒 Local time
14:02 2:02 PM
13:02 1:02 PM
1 h behind New York, NY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
8,804,190
19,234
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.711 USD). 1 EUR = 1.58 CAD (1 CAD = 0.633 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • New York, NY Yellowknife 3,590 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • New York, NY
  • Yellowknife

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Yellowknife: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, New York, NY or Yellowknife?
New York, NY costs about 64% more than Yellowknife, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in New York, NY and in Yellowknife?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,358 per month in New York, NY and $4,488 in Yellowknife. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, New York, NY or Yellowknife?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Yellowknife, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,629 there versus $4,555 in New York, NY.
How do childcare costs compare in New York, NY and in Yellowknife?
Kindergarten costs $3,606 per month in New York, NY and $606 in Yellowknife. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in New York, NY or in Yellowknife?
Groceries cost about 30% more in New York, NY, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $2,000/month in New York, NY or in Yellowknife?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,906 in New York, NY and $2,992 in Yellowknife. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Yellowknife – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to New York, NY or to Yellowknife?
If budget matters most, go with Yellowknife. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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