Cost of Living in New York, NY - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,635 (excluding rent), and $4,489 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,204 (excluding rent), and $9,643 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.05 $30.05

$15.03 $15.03

$52.9 $52.9

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$93.1 $93.1

$245 $245

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.27 $12.27

$10.31 $10.31

$17.18 $17.18

Cappuccino

$5.99 $5.99

$4.03 $4.03

$9.06 $9.06

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

$3.31 $3.31

$2.51 $2.51

$5.02 $5.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.71 $2.71

$2.06 $2.06

$4.12 $4.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.23 $8.23

$5.14 $5.14

$12.34 $12.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.04 $12.04

$8.02 $8.02

$15.05 $15.05

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.03 $1.03

$2.56 $2.56

White Bread (500g)

$5.19 $5.19

$3.36 $3.36

$10.04 $10.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.41 $8.41

$4.04 $4.04

$13.55 $13.55

Eggs

$7.21 $7.21

$3.06 $3.06

$10.71 $10.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.68 $17.68

$9.37 $9.37

$44.82 $44.82

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.44 $16.44

$7.15 $7.15

$24.16 $24.16

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.98 $19.98

$13.10 $13.10

$32.74 $32.74

Apples (1kg)

$7.34 $7.34

$2.15 $2.15

$10.84 $10.84

Banana (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.31 $1.31

$6.57 $6.57

Oranges (1kg)

$5.70 $5.70

$2.17 $2.17

$10.87 $10.87

Tomato (1kg)

$6.55 $6.55

$2.26 $2.26

$11.33 $11.33

Potato (1kg)

$3.85 $3.85

$1.57 $1.57

$8.99 $8.99

Onion (1kg)

$3.96 $3.96

$2.15 $2.15

$6.52 $6.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.09 $3.09

$1.49 $1.49

$5.27 $5.27

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.36 $1.36

$3.44 $3.44

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.19 $19.19

$16.15 $16.15

$21.21 $21.21

Wine (Bottle)

$18.35 $18.35

$11.21 $11.21

$25.49 $25.49

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.75 $1.75

$4.33 $4.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.81 $3.81

$2.01 $2.01

$7.03 $7.03

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.95 $2.95

$3.06 $3.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

$129 $129

$150 $150

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.92 $4.92

$2.96 $2.96

$7.89 $7.89

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.81 $1.81

$3.18 $3.18

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.15 $42.15

$30.11 $30.11

$45.16 $45.16

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.81 $0.81

$1.23 $1.23

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

$35.3K $35.3K

$25.2K $25.2K

$36.7K $36.7K

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

$27.5K $27.5K

$24.9K $24.9K

$38.4K $38.4K

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

$182 $182

$110 $110

$300 $300

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

$59.3 $59.3

$29.76 $29.76

$99.2 $99.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.9 $62.9

$49.96 $49.96

$99.9 $99.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$142 $142

$29.87 $29.87

$299 $299

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.2 $65.2

$25.23 $25.23

$101 $101

Cinema Ticket

$20.25 $20.25

$16.20 $16.20

$25.32 $25.32

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

$3,193 $3,193

$2,523 $2,523

$4,205 $4,205

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.7K $57.7K

$50.4K $50.4K

$65.5K $65.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.0 $68.0

$40.62 $40.62

$91.4 $91.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.71 $47.71

$24.82 $24.82

$74.5 $74.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 $114

$80.7 $80.7

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$171 $171

$100 $100

$250 $250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,152 $4,152

$3,006 $3,006

$5,512 $5,512

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,695 $2,695

$2,010 $2,010

$4,021 $4,021

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,492 $8,492

$6,074 $6,074

$12.1K $12.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,225 $5,225

$3,505 $3,505

$7,510 $7,510

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$21.5K $21.5K

$19.2K $19.2K

$26.2K $26.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$10.0K $10.0K

$5,733 $5,733

$19.5K $19.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,197 $5,197

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

New York, NY Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

170

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

348

Mbps

123

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in New York, NY - Frequently Asked Questions

New York tends to be one of the more expensive places for longer stays, but value varies by neighborhood and lifestyle. The core districts (Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn) offer quick access to work, culture, and nightlife, which can feel premium. Outer boroughs and up-and-coming pockets provide more room to breathe and often more affordable entry points for longer visits. Budget-conscious travelers lean on flexible housing options such as month-to-month rentals, shared flats, or short-term sublets, plus a mix of groceries and casual eateries. Transportation is robust and efficient, but not free; a well-planned transit routine saves time and money. Cost of Living in New York, NY, United States can feel high, but smart choices keep it workable. Tip: start with a transit-friendly base and adjust as you settle.

Housing search in New York often rewards patience and flexibility. Look beyond glossy Manhattan listings to the outer boroughs or neighborhoods with solid transit access. Consider sublets, co-living arrangements, or longer-term rentals that include utilities to keep budgeting simple. The food scene is incredibly varied: markets, casual eateries, and affordable staples sit alongside high-end dining. Public transport is the backbone, with a dense subway and bus network moving you efficiently and cheaply for daily trips. Errands feel practical when you map nearby groceries, pharmacies, and libraries. New York, NY, United States living cost is real, but smart planning keeps days smooth. Tip: map a weekly routine and batch errands to save time and money.

Quality of life hinges on a deliberate balance between location, pace, and expenses. Use a simple framework: identify must-haves (good transit, stable internet, safe areas) and nice-to-haves (coffee culture, parks). If you’re exploring, test neighborhoods with short-term stays or sublets before committing long-term. Expect seasonality in activities and energy use; winter relies more on indoor options, while spring and fall offer free or low-cost outdoor experiences. Neighborhood fit matters more than a flashy address; choose places with easy access to work or co-working spaces and a diverse range of groceries and services. Tip: set a flexible monthly plan and review it at the start of each season.