Cost of Living in Erie, PA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $965 (excluding rent), and $2,381 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,168 (excluding rent), and $4,076 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.4 $20.4

$15.3 $15.3

$40.79 $40.79

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.2 $59.2

$49.3 $49.3

$98.6 $98.6

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.64 $9.64

$9.14 $9.14

$11.17 $11.17

Cappuccino

$5.03 $5.03

$3.52 $3.52

$7.04 $7.04

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

$2.28 $2.28

$2.03 $2.03

$3.8 $3.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.62 $1.62

$2.92 $2.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.23 $4.23

$1.99 $1.99

$6.96 $6.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.05 $4.05

$12.16 $12.16

Milk (1 liter)

$1.2 $1.2

$1.06 $1.06

$1.62 $1.62

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$1.63 $1.63

$6 $6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.33 $1.33

$10.68 $10.68

Eggs

$2.86 $2.86

$1.96 $1.96

$7.83 $7.83

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$10.9 $10.9

$26.26 $26.26

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.26 $14.26

$5.56 $5.56

$21.09 $21.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.59 $17.59

$12.23 $12.23

$33.52 $33.52

Apples (1kg)

$4.9 $4.9

$2.4 $2.4

$9.42 $9.42

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 $1.44

$1.03 $1.03

$5.63 $5.63

Oranges (1kg)

$5.09 $5.09

$3.03 $3.03

$10.8 $10.8

Tomato (1kg)

$5.21 $5.21

$4.2 $4.2

$8.82 $8.82

Potato (1kg)

$2.64 $2.64

$1.13 $1.13

$7.92 $7.92

Onion (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$1.68 $1.68

$5.6 $5.6

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.68 $1.68

$3.97 $3.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$0.98 $0.98

$2.98 $2.98

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.19 $8.19

$12.79 $12.79

Wine (Bottle)

$13.86 $13.86

$11.88 $11.88

$19.81 $19.81

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.8 $2.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.37 $1.37

$7.84 $7.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.26 $1.26

$2.01 $2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52 $52

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.03 $4.03

$6.05 $6.05

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.21 $1.21

$1.82 $1.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.75 $20.75

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.88 $0.88

$1.09 $1.09

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

$23.6K $23.6K

$36.4K $36.4K

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$28.3K $28.3K

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

$217 $217

$213 $213

$388 $388

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

$38.73 $38.73

$25.04 $25.04

$75.1 $75.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.2 $67.2

$49.29 $49.29

$118 $118

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.61 $28.61

$25.25 $25.25

$30.3 $30.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.92 $8.92

Cinema Ticket

$11.87 $11.87

$9.89 $9.89

$19.78 $19.78

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

$1,303 $1,303

$1,016 $1,016

$1,524 $1,524

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.1K $35.1K

$23.4K $23.4K

$38K $38K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.88 $42.88

$25.37 $25.37

$71 $71

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.45 $34.45

$24.6 $24.6

$73.8 $73.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.9 $70.9

$50.6 $50.6

$101 $101

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.9 $79.9

$39.95 $39.95

$150 $150

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$672 $672

$554 $554

$756 $756

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,149 $1,149

$888 $888

$1,620 $1,620

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,185 $1,185

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,411 $1,411

$1,209 $1,209

$1,612 $1,612

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,431 $1,431

$1,680 $1,680

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,556 $1,556

$1,410 $1,410

$1,655 $1,655

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,936 $2,936

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.19

7.29

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

Last update: November 25, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Erie, PA - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with larger coastal or tech hubs, Erie offers a steadier, more predictable budget and a slower pace of life. Cost of Living in Erie, PA, United States tends to be more affordable, with housing that ranges from comfortable apartments to family homes, plus groceries and transit that don’t push the budget upward like in bigger cities. It suits travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want reliable costs without sacrificing essential amenities. Seasonal lakefront activity can nudge prices briefly, but core living costs stay reasonable. Plan around energy use, local markets, and neighborhood choice to maximize value. Tip: map your essential costs and test a few neighborhoods before committing.

Expect a pragmatic approach to daily living. Erie, PA, United States living cost varies by neighborhood, with riverfront areas often commanding higher rents than inland districts. Shop at local markets or discount grocers to stretch groceries, and you’ll find a spectrum of affordable dining options for casual meals. Public transit covers key routes and car access is straightforward; biking along the lakefront is especially enjoyable in warm months. Co-working spaces cluster downtown and near the university, offering flexible setups for remote work. Tip: group errands by route to save time and fuel.

Quality of life here depends on your priorities: proximity to the lake, access to services, and the pace you want. A simple budgeting framework helps you stay in control, with fixed housing costs, predictable utilities, and flexible daily expenses. Save by cooking at home, buying in-season produce, and taking advantage of community events and free programs at libraries. Seasonality matters: summers bring lakefront activities and crowds, while winters emphasize heating needs and indoor options. For neighborhood fit, test a couple of areas across seasons and weigh commute times against green spaces and amenities. Tip: spend a month trying two neighborhoods and a few commute routes to see what fits your rhythm.