Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, MA and New York, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, MA and New York, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,473 per month in Salem, MA vs $4,557 in New York, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,781 per month in Salem, MA vs $7,115 in New York, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,090 per month in Salem, MA vs $9,674 in New York, NY, rent included.

Salem, MA is about 24% cheaper than New York, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Salem, MA and New York, NY sit above the global median – Salem, MA by 159%, New York, NY by 240%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.10 $25.10

$29.90 $29.90

-16.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$143 $143

-31.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.04 $11.04

$12.67 $12.67

-12.87%

Cappuccino

$5.10 $5.10

$5.78 $5.78

-11.76%

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

$2.44 $2.44

$3.40 $3.40

-28.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.69 $2.69

-20.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.12 $8.12

$8.07 $8.07

0.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.97 $6.97

$11.86 $11.86

-41.23%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.61 $1.61

-24.22%

White Bread (500g)

$4.37 $4.37

$5.14 $5.14

-14.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.72 $8.72

$8.17 $8.17

6.73%

Eggs

$4.42 $4.42

$7.16 $7.16

-38.27%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.19 $14.19

$17.24 $17.24

-17.69%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$16.17 $16.17

-11.87%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.70 $8.70

$20.46 $20.46

-57.48%

Apples (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$7.33 $7.33

-38.20%

Banana (1kg)

$1.33 $1.33

$2.42 $2.42

-45.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.35 $3.35

$5.75 $5.75

-41.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.79 $4.79

$6.52 $6.52

-26.53%

Potato (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$3.81 $3.81

12.60%

Onion (1kg)

$2.37 $2.37

$3.96 $3.96

-40.15%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.08 $3.08

-17.53%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.43 $3.43

$2.46 $2.46

39.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.53 $9.53

$19.03 $19.03

-49.92%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.89 $12.89

$20.16 $20.16

-36.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.89 $2.89

-39.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.90 $6.90

$3.74 $3.74

84.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.86 $2.86

-14.34%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.6 $54.6

$130 $130

-57.96%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.49 $3.49

$4.97 $4.97

-29.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$2.24 $2.24

-29.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.22 $29.22

$42.20 $42.20

-30.76%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$0.96 $0.96

11.46%

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

$29.8K $29.8K

$34.7K $34.7K

-14.04%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$28.1K $28.1K

-7.48%

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

$169 $169

$183 $183

-7.64%

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

$91.3 $91.3

$59.5 $59.5

53.48%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.3 $82.3

$63.4 $63.4

29.86%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.44 $42.44

$140 $140

-69.79%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$63.9 $63.9

Cinema Ticket

$14.89 $14.89

$19.98 $19.98

-25.48%

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)

$23.8K $23.8K

$56.3K $56.3K

-57.74%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.4 $71.4

$67.7 $67.7

5.44%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.4 $58.4

$48.48 $48.48

20.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.9 $97.9

$115 $115

-15.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.6 $98.6

$170 $170

-41.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,360 $2,360

$4,113 $4,113

-42.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,944 $1,944

$2,651 $2,651

-26.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,832 $3,832

$8,230 $8,230

-53.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,855 $2,855

$5,113 $5,113

-44.16%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,731 $2,731

$19.3K $19.3K

-85.88%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,387 $2,387

$8,754 $8,754

-72.73%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,570 $9,570

$5,049 $5,049

89.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.44

1.09%

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

Last update for Salem, MA: April 28, 2026

Last update for New York, NY: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,360 in Salem, MA 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 90% higher in Salem, MA, 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 $98 in Salem, MA versus $143 in New York, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $434 vs $553 – making Salem, MA 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

Salem, MA vs New York, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 31% more than Salem, MA, 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 $5,209 per month in Salem, MA and $6,835 in New York, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $1,299 per month in Salem, MA 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.

Groceries cost about 27% 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 $3,473 in Salem, MA and $4,557 in New York, NY. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Salem, MA costs $3,473 versus $4,557 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 Salem, MA. 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.