Cost of Living in United States - Updated Prices & Insights

80.92

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,162 (excluding rent), and $2,808 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,745 (excluding rent), and $5,398 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.2 $20.2

$12.12 $12.12

$40.41 $40.41

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.7 $75.7

$50.5 $50.5

$151 $151

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.69 $11.69

$10.16 $10.16

$15.24 $15.24

Cappuccino

$5.11 $5.11

$2.92 $2.92

$7.79 $7.79

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

$2.63 $2.63

$2.06 $2.06

$4.11 $4.11

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.54 $1.54

$3.09 $3.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.87 $5.87

$3.92 $3.92

$8.81 $8.81

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.1 $7.1

$5.07 $5.07

$12.17 $12.17

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.52 $0.52

$2.03 $2.03

White Bread (500g)

$3.55 $3.55

$1.92 $1.92

$6.54 $6.54

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.73 $4.73

$2.08 $2.08

$9.03 $9.03

Eggs

$4.23 $4.23

$1.95 $1.95

$7.5 $7.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.89 $12.89

$6.6 $6.6

$26.44 $26.44

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.43 $12.43

$5.61 $5.61

$22.45 $22.45

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.53 $16.53

$10.04 $10.04

$26.78 $26.78

Apples (1kg)

$5.21 $5.21

$2.17 $2.17

$8.7 $8.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.07 $1.07

$4.28 $4.28

Oranges (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$2.1 $2.1

$11.06 $11.06

Tomato (1kg)

$4.78 $4.78

$2.1 $2.1

$8.57 $8.57

Potato (1kg)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.12 $1.12

$6.7 $6.7

Onion (1kg)

$3.1 $3.1

$1.75 $1.75

$6.63 $6.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.3 $1.3

$4.92 $4.92

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.2 $2.2

$0.99 $0.99

$3.45 $3.45

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.85 $9.85

$7.88 $7.88

$18.71 $18.71

Wine (Bottle)

$14.78 $14.78

$8.87 $8.87

$24.64 $24.64

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.69 $1.69

$3.49 $3.49

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 $3.51

$1.46 $1.46

$6.81 $6.81

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.52 $1.52

$4.06 $4.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65 $65

$34.98 $34.98

$132 $132

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.59 $2.59

$6.96 $6.96

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.23 $1.23

$3.05 $3.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.27 $30.27

$22.2 $22.2

$45.4 $45.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.75 $0.75

$1.35 $1.35

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

$29.8K $29.8K

$23.7K $23.7K

$35.8K $35.8K

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$25.2K $25.2K

$28.5K $28.5K

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

$211 $211

$122 $122

$391 $391

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

$56.4 $56.4

$29.45 $29.45

$98.2 $98.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.5 $71.5

$49.77 $49.77

$109 $109

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.09 $46.09

$20.1 $20.1

$143 $143

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.99 $21.99

$8.03 $8.03

$64.8 $64.8

Cinema Ticket

$13.86 $13.86

$10.39 $10.39

$19.79 $19.79

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

$1,378 $1,378

$803 $803

$3,175 $3,175

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.9K $22.9K

$12.2K $12.2K

$40.6K $40.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.1 $53.1

$29.45 $29.45

$81.3 $81.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.97 $42.97

$24.21 $24.21

$70.6 $70.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.1 $90.1

$60.1 $60.1

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$64.6 $64.6

$199 $199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,734 $1,734

$1,100 $1,100

$4,143 $4,143

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,412 $1,412

$935 $935

$2,747 $2,747

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,873 $2,873

$1,798 $1,798

$8,377 $8,377

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,363 $2,363

$1,580 $1,580

$5,154 $5,154

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,171 $3,171

$1,804 $1,804

$18.3K $18.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,738 $2,738

$1,743 $1,743

$13K $13K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,329 $4,329

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

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

Cost of Living in United States - Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability across the United States ranges from high-cost metros to more affordable midsize cities and towns. When you compare the Cost of Living in United States, you’ll quickly see housing and transportation dominate the differences, with healthcare and utilities adding nuance. Coastal cities and tech hubs tend to be pricier, while inland regions and college towns offer more breathing room. Your value comes from choosing the right neighborhood, lease length, and season. For digital nomads, consider brief stays in a few areas to test work-life balance, internet reliability, and social scenes. Tip: map a monthly budget by housing, groceries, and transit before you travel.

Day-to-day life varies by city, but some patterns hold. When housing hunting, search by neighborhood rather than building; factor walkability, safety, and commute times. Grocery options range from big-box stores to farmer markets, with regional specialties shaping meals. Public transit works well in many cities, though you may still rely on rideshares or bikes in others. Flexible coworking and coffee spaces help you balance cost and network. For errands, plan a weekly route that minimizes backtracking. United States living cost shifts with the seasons too – summer tourism can spike prices in popular places, while winter can quiet activity in others. Tip: negotiate longer leases to lock in steadier rates.

Build a simple budgeting framework that accounts for housing, utilities, food, transport, and leisure, with room for unexpected costs like healthcare or pet care. Use a core city as your baseline, then compare nearby neighborhoods by rent ranges, commute lengths, and access to amenities. Seasonality matters: some areas price up in summer or during events; others stay steady year-round. Prioritize neighborhoods with good internet, safe outdoor spaces, and a sense of community that fits your pace. For savings, consider long-term rentals, public transit passes, and shared housing or co-living options to reduce costs while keeping flexibility. Tip: try a month-long pilot in a couple of neighborhoods before committing.