Cost of Living in Ithaca, NY - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,049 (excluding rent), and $2,216 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,716 (excluding rent), and $4,619 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$10.09 $10.09

$30.26 $30.26

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.3 $71.3

$51 $51

$102 $102

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.92 $10.92

$6.95 $6.95

$14.89 $14.89

Cappuccino

$5.13 $5.13

$12.32 $12.32

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

$2.84 $2.84

$2.44 $2.44

$4.09 $4.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.74 $1.74

$2.98 $2.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.02 $5.02

$3.01 $3.01

$9.03 $9.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.85 $5.85

$2.92 $2.92

$11.7 $11.7

Milk (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$0.82 $0.82

$1.04 $1.04

White Bread (500g)

$3.85 $3.85

$2.59 $2.59

$6.47 $6.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.47 $5.47

$2.17 $2.17

$8.78 $8.78

Eggs

$4.11 $4.11

$3.56 $3.56

$7.13 $7.13

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.19 $14.19

$4.89 $4.89

$19.99 $19.99

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$4.49 $4.49

$20.29 $20.29

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.62 $8.62

$23.77 $23.77

Apples (1kg)

$4.76 $4.76

$4.01 $4.01

$8.95 $8.95

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.09 $1.09

$2.22 $2.22

Oranges (1kg)

$4.76 $4.76

$2.22 $2.22

$19.99 $19.99

Tomato (1kg)

$5.03 $5.03

$2.92 $2.92

$15.87 $15.87

Potato (1kg)

$6.9 $6.9

$2.19 $2.19

$10.98 $10.98

Onion (1kg)

$3.43 $3.43

$2.16 $2.16

$8.64 $8.64

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.9 $2.9

$1.28 $1.28

$6.13 $6.13

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.01 $1.01

$5.45 $5.45

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.78 $8.78

$15.26 $15.26

Wine (Bottle)

$11.92 $11.92

$8.94 $8.94

$20.86 $20.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.7 $1.7

$2.8 $2.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.92 $3.92

$1.48 $1.48

$6.9 $6.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.52 $1.52

$2.03 $2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.68 $44.68

$49.65 $49.65

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.85 $4.85

$9.71 $9.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.1 $1.1

$1.72 $1.72

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.02 $28.02

$25.47 $25.47

$30.56 $30.56

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.79 $0.79

$1 $1

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

$29.5K $29.5K

$24.6K $24.6K

$35.8K $35.8K

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

$25.5K $25.5K

$25.2K $25.2K

$25.8K $25.8K

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

$140 $140

$265 $265

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

$46.43 $46.43

$14.72 $14.72

$93.2 $93.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.7 $65.7

$50.4 $50.4

$111 $111

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.92 $42.92

$40.4 $40.4

$45.45 $45.45

Cinema Ticket

$11.14 $11.14

$10.13 $10.13

$17.55 $17.55

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

$1,574 $1,574

$965 $965

$2,538 $2,538

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.9K $27.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.89 $43.89

$25.23 $25.23

$70.6 $70.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.11 $40.11

$30.08 $30.08

$60.2 $60.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.8 $79.8

$59.8 $59.8

$199 $199

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 $102

$57.5 $57.5

$166 $166

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,651 $1,651

$1,201 $1,201

$2,001 $2,001

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,049 $1,049

$799 $799

$1,299 $1,299

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,590 $2,590

$2,355 $2,355

$2,944 $2,944

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,871 $1,871

$1,497 $1,497

$2,395 $2,395

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,206 $2,206

$1,986 $1,986

$2,327 $2,327

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,181 $2,181

$1,964 $1,964

$2,301 $2,301

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,985 $2,985

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.28

6.8

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Ithaca, NY - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Ithaca, NY, United States varies by neighborhood and lifestyle. Downtown, near campus, and lakeside areas tend to be pricier, while quieter residential pockets offer more room to roam. You will find a walkable center, strong local shops, and a farm-to-table scene that can shave costs if you cook at home. Public transit, biking, and easy access to natural attractions add value beyond rent. The upside is safety, a sense of community, and a compact town feel that makes errands efficient; the challenge is balancing housing costs with the quality of life. Tip: Build a short list of must-haves and compare a few neighborhoods by a weekend visit.

Ithaca, NY, United States living cost is shaped by a compact downtown, a strong student community, and abundant local produce. For housing, focus on Collegetown and downtown for proximity, or look to West Hill and northeast neighborhoods for more space. Shared apartments and longer leases can ease costs. Food options are diverse: farmers markets, cooperatives, and affordable cafés; cooking at home with local produce keeps budgets reasonable. Transportation is practical with a walkable core, a dependable bus network, and bike-friendly streets, plus parking in some areas. Tip: Map your errands around a core neighborhood to limit transit time.

Quality of life in Ithaca benefits from easy access to nature, a vibrant local culture, and a compact size that makes daily life efficient. To budget effectively, try a simple framework: essential needs, flexible wants, and savings buffer; adjust as the seasons shift or when you plan trips to the surrounding Finger Lakes. Seasonality influences groceries, dining, and outdoor activities; fall hikes and winter snows shape costs and options. To choose a neighborhood, weigh walkability, school and campus activity, safety, and access to parks; Collegetown, downtown, or hillside areas each offer a different rhythm. Tip: visit at different times of day to sense crowds and noise levels.