🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,017 in St Helens versus $2,484 in Utica, NY.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,087 in St Helens versus $3,798 in Utica, NY.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,157 in St Helens versus $5,111 in Utica, NY.
🌍Living in St Helens costs roughly 19% less than in Utica, NY, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: St Helens51% above, Utica, NY86% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.14£14.98
$16.22$16.22
24.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.4£60.5
$75.9$75.9
7.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.08£8.24
$11.40$11.40
-2.81%
Cappuccino
$3.67£2.73
$4.96$4.96
-26.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80£2.08
$2.49$2.49
12.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00£1.48
$1.63$1.63
22.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.00£2.98
$4.41$4.41
-9.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.22£3.88
$5.93$5.93
-11.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38£1.03
$0.94$0.94
46.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89£1.41
$2.90$2.90
-34.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.07£1.54
$4.53$4.53
-54.30%
Eggs
$4.24£3.16
$4.00$4.00
6.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.30£9.15
$13.43$13.43
-8.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.62£6.41
$8.62$8.62
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.68£7.95
$11.83$11.83
-9.72%
Apples(1kg)
$3.19£2.37
$3.93$3.93
-18.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.39£1.04
$1.60$1.60
-13.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.72£2.77
$4.22$4.22
-11.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.68£2.74
$5.86$5.86
-37.20%
Potato(1kg)
$1.88£1.40
$1.57$1.57
19.75%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10£1.56
$2.11$2.11
-0.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.35£1.00
$2.41$2.41
-43.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.38£1.03
$2.46$2.46
-43.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$20.37£15.15
$14.19$14.19
43.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.22£8.34
$12.11$12.11
-7.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.74£2.04
$1.70$1.70
61.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71£2.02
$3.43$3.43
-20.99%
🚌 Getting Around
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.81£2.09
$1.47$1.47
91.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$103£76.4
$43.98$43.98
133.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.45£2.57
$5.40$5.40
-36.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91£1.42
$2.26$2.26
-15.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.58£12.33
$44.36$44.36
-62.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.95£1.45
$0.96$0.96
103.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K£19.9K
$32.2K$32.2K
-16.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.8K£25.1K
$23.7K$23.7K
42.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$342£254
$204$204
67.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.62£11.62
$47.38$47.38
-67.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.86£29.65
$60.4$60.4
-34.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.77£19.91
$39.64$39.64
-32.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.19£3.12
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.34£12.15
$14.20$14.20
15.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$815£606
$811$811
0.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,885£5,121
$29.0K$29.0K
-76.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.6£50.3
$45.42$45.42
48.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.8£40.79
$45.80$45.80
19.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.4£64.3
$80.4$80.4
7.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120£89.6
$91.4$91.4
31.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$828£616
$1,219$1,219
-32.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$665£494
$1,290$1,290
-48.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,542£1,147
$1,843$1,843
-16.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,308£973
$2,560$2,560
-48.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,297£3,940
$1,646$1,646
221.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,331£1,734
$1,612$1,612
44.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
St Helens
Utica, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,546£1,894
$3,498$3,498
-27.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.54
6.53
-15.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for St Helens: July 14, 2026
Last update for Utica, NY: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $828 in St Helens and $1,219 in Utica, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Utica, NY pays 37% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $81.0 in St Helens vs $76.0 in Utica, NY. Groceries flip the comparison at $301 vs $354, with St Helens cheaper for home cooking.
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
St Helens vs Utica, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Utica, NY cheaper than St Helens?
St Helens is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 23% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: St Helens or Utica, NY?
On paper, salaries run 37% lower in Utica, NY. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between St Helens and Utica, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $828 in St Helens versus $1,219 in Utica, NY. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in St Helens and in Utica, NY?
All in, you'll spend $2,017 per month in St Helens versus $2,484 in Utica, NY – a 23% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in St Helens runs roughly 134% less than in Utica, NY. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in St Helens or in Utica, NY?
At $2,017 in St Helens versus $2,484 in Utica, NY, a $2,500 budget is realistic in St Helens but tight or insufficient in Utica, NY. The gap between the two cities makes St Helens the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in St Helens or in Utica, NY?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find St Helens gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Utica, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.