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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,264 (excluding rent), and $3,297 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,124 (excluding rent), and $6,434 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.85 $16.85

$11.90 $11.90

$29.74 $29.74

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.8 $99.8

$49.89 $49.89

$140 $140

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$9.98 $9.98

$13.98 $13.98

Cappuccino

$5.25 $5.25

$1.95 $1.95

$6.84 $6.84

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

$2.29 $2.29

$1.96 $1.96

$2.95 $2.95

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 $1.61

$1.53 $1.53

$2.30 $2.30

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.94 $6.94

$4.96 $4.96

$9.92 $9.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$10.25 $10.25

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$0.77 $0.77

$1.69 $1.69

White Bread (500g)

$3.81 $3.81

$2.79 $2.79

$6.66 $6.66

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.19 $5.19

$1.53 $1.53

$10.97 $10.97

Eggs

$6.50 $6.50

$2.95 $2.95

$8.84 $8.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.22 $21.22

$6.57 $6.57

$32.86 $32.86

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.40 $10.40

$6.69 $6.69

$15.61 $15.61

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.99 $19.99

$15.53 $15.53

$24.42 $24.42

Apples (1kg)

$5.70 $5.70

$2.17 $2.17

$6.58 $6.58

Banana (1kg)

$2.59 $2.59

$1.09 $1.09

$4.36 $4.36

Oranges (1kg)

$4.22 $4.22

$1.63 $1.63

$6.54 $6.54

Tomato (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$2.89 $2.89

$8.97 $8.97

Potato (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.07 $1.07

$4.30 $4.30

Onion (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.79 $1.79

$6.45 $6.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.46 $1.46

$4.87 $4.87

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.03 $2.03

$4.04 $4.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$17.16 $17.16

$13.72 $13.72

$19.61 $19.61

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$11.14 $11.14

$20.25 $20.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 $1.80

$1.72 $1.72

$4.26 $4.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.35 $4.35

$1.97 $1.97

$5.17 $5.17

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.95 $2.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

$131 $131

$134 $134

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.02 $3.02

$7.04 $7.04

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.22 $2.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.18 $41.18

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.77 $0.77

$0.98 $0.98

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

$23.4K $23.4K

$36.0K $36.0K

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$25.3K $25.3K

$26.5K $26.5K

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

$126 $126

$85.1 $85.1

$701 $701

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

$44.13 $44.13

$34.32 $34.32

$68.6 $68.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.2 $59.2

$50.8 $50.8

$102 $102

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.80 $44.80

$39.82 $39.82

$54.8 $54.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$48.16 $48.16

Cinema Ticket

$17.08 $17.08

$12.06 $12.06

$24.11 $24.11

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

$1,774 $1,774

$1,318 $1,318

$2,306 $2,306

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.0K $16.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.84 $49.84

$19.94 $19.94

$120 $120

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.4 $62.4

$19.69 $19.69

$73.9 $73.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.9 $87.9

$50.7 $50.7

$101 $101

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$133 $133

$39.84 $39.84

$199 $199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,289 $2,289

$1,975 $1,975

$2,468 $2,468

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,933 $1,933

$1,607 $1,607

$2,209 $2,209

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,725 $3,725

$3,200 $3,200

$5,601 $5,601

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,203 $3,203

$2,803 $2,803

$3,503 $3,503

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,465 $8,465

$10.6K $10.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,194 $6,194

$6,520 $6,520

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,328 $3,328

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.62

6.19

7.5

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

Queens, NY Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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 Queens, NY - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Queens, NY, United States offers a blend of value and access. You’ll often find more affordable options than Manhattan, with a broad range of neighborhoods to match different budgets. Housing tends to be the biggest variable; some areas feel quiet and residential while others are lively and well connected. Food, transit, and basic services remain reasonable if you plan ahead and mix local markets with occasional splurges. Tip: start with a few longer-term housing options to stabilize costs while you explore potential fits.

The Queens, NY, United States living cost varies by neighborhood. Daily life in Queens blends variety with practicality. Housing search ranges from comfortable studio apartments to shared rooms, often organized around transit access and neighborhood feel. For meals, you can sample authentic global cuisines without leaving home, plus abundant markets and seasonal produce for budget cooking. Transport is straightforward: subways, express buses, and bike lanes connect you to Manhattan and other boroughs, with occasional delays in peak periods. For work or study, consider nearby co-working spots in busy pockets and plan errands around markets or late-night groceries. The Queens, NY, United States living cost helps you frame weekly spending. Tip: build a flexible plan that favors longer blocks of time in one neighborhood to minimize transit costs.

Quality of life comes from a simple, practical budgeting approach and smart neighborhood selection. Start with a basic framework: housing, food, transport, and discretionary spend. Track costs over a few weeks to see patterns, then adjust by season – air conditioning and heating habits can shift monthly expenses. Favor neighborhoods that balance safety, access to parks, and commute ease, and consider staying near a subway line or a bridge to shorten trip times. Save by cooking at home, buying in bulk at local markets, and taking advantage of free events, parks, and community activities. Tip: map out a monthly baseline and reserve a small buffer for seasonal changes.