🙂A single person spends $4,050 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $4,557 in New York, NY, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $5,773 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $7,115 in New York, NY, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $7,497 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $9,674 in New York, NY, rent included.
🙂Pasadena, CA is about 11% cheaper than New York, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Pasadena, CA and New York, NY sit above the global median – Pasadena, CA by 202%, New York, NY by 240%.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.79$17.79
$29.90$29.90
-40.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.2$81.2
$143$143
-43.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.69$11.69
$12.67$12.67
-7.73%
Cappuccino
$5.17$5.17
$5.78$5.78
-10.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11$3.11
$3.40$3.40
-8.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89$2.89
$2.69$2.69
7.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$9.80$9.80
$8.07$8.07
21.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.96$10.96
$11.86$11.86
-7.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20$1.20
$1.61$1.61
-25.47%
White Bread(500g)
$4.92$4.92
$5.14$5.14
-4.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.81$2.81
$8.17$8.17
-65.61%
Eggs
$5.34$5.34
$7.16$7.16
-25.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.23$16.23
$17.24$17.24
-5.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.28$18.28
$16.17$16.17
13.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.32$13.32
$20.46$20.46
-34.90%
Apples(1kg)
$3.55$3.55
$7.33$7.33
-51.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63$1.63
$2.42$2.42
-32.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.50$2.50
$5.75$5.75
-56.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.75$5.75
$6.52$6.52
-11.81%
Potato(1kg)
$5.63$5.63
$3.81$3.81
47.77%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28$2.28
$3.96$3.96
-42.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.87$1.87
$3.08$3.08
-39.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.66$1.66
$2.46$2.46
-32.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.39$9.39
$19.03$19.03
-50.66%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.88$9.88
$20.16$20.16
-50.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$2.89$2.89
-29.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67$1.67
$3.74$3.74
-55.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.56$1.56
$2.86$2.86
-45.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$52.6$52.6
$130$130
-59.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.55$3.55
$4.97$4.97
-28.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60$1.60
$2.24$2.24
-28.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.15$29.15
$42.20$42.20
-30.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30$1.30
$0.96$0.96
35.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.3K$29.3K
$34.7K$34.7K
-15.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K$22.2K
$28.1K$28.1K
-20.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$265$265
$183$183
44.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.1$51.1
$59.5$59.5
-14.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.6$72.6
$63.4$63.4
14.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.50$34.50
$140$140
-75.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.02$35.02
$63.9$63.9
-45.17%
Cinema Ticket
$19.11$19.11
$19.98$19.98
-4.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,299$1,299
$3,153$3,153
-58.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.1K$15.1K
$56.3K$56.3K
-73.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.8$88.8
$67.7$67.7
31.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.28$40.28
$48.48$48.48
-16.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6$93.6
$115$115
-18.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112$112
$170$170
-33.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,388$3,388
$4,113$4,113
-17.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,693$2,693
$2,651$2,651
1.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,475$5,475
$8,230$8,230
-33.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$4,330$4,330
$5,113$5,113
-15.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,483$9,483
$19.3K$19.3K
-50.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$8,659$8,659
$8,754$8,754
-1.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pasadena, CA
New York, NY
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,256$5,256
$5,049$5,049
4.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.27
6.44
-2.64%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Pasadena, CA: April 25, 2026
Última actualización para New York, NY: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $3,388 in Pasadena, CA versus $4,113 in New York, NY. 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 4% higher in Pasadena, CA, 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 $81.0 in Pasadena, CA versus $143 in New York, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $422 vs $553 – making Pasadena, CA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Pasadena, CA vs New York, NY: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
Which city is more expensive, Pasadena, CA or New York, NY?
New York, NY costs about 13% more than Pasadena, CA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Pasadena, CA vs New York, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,075 per month in Pasadena, CA and $6,835 in New York, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Pasadena, CA or New York, NY?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Pasadena, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Pasadena, CA and New York, NY?
Kindergarten costs $1,299 per month in Pasadena, CA and $3,153 in New York, NY. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Pasadena, CA or New York, NY?
Groceries cost about 31% 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.
Can you live on $5,000/month in Pasadena, CA or New York, NY?
$5,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,050 in Pasadena, CA and $4,557 in New York, NY. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Pasadena, CA or New York, NY?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Pasadena, CA costs $4,050 versus $4,557 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Pasadena, CA or New York, NY?
If budget matters most, go with Pasadena, CA. 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.
Pasadena, CA vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado