Cost of Living in United States - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: United States
Address: US

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,157 (excluding rent), and $2,765 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,809 (excluding rent), and $5,361 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.22 $20.22

$12.13 $12.13

$40.43 $40.43

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.7 $75.7

$50.4 $50.4

$151 $151

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.47 $11.47

$9.97 $9.97

$14.96 $14.96

Cappuccino

$5.13 $5.13

$2.94 $2.94

$7.84 $7.84

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.04 $2.04

$4.08 $4.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.53 $1.53

$3.07 $3.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.17 $6.17

$4.12 $4.12

$9.26 $9.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.07 $7.07

$5.05 $5.05

$12.12 $12.12

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.54 $0.54

$2.11 $2.11

White Bread (500g)

$3.74 $3.74

$2.03 $2.03

$6.89 $6.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.57 $4.57

$2.01 $2.01

$8.73 $8.73

Eggs

$4.20 $4.20

$1.93 $1.93

$7.44 $7.44

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.02 $13.02

$6.67 $6.67

$26.71 $26.71

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.18 $12.18

$5.50 $5.50

$22.00 $22.00

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.14 $16.14

$9.81 $9.81

$26.15 $26.15

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$2.21 $2.21

$8.88 $8.88

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.12 $1.12

$4.50 $4.50

Oranges (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$2.13 $2.13

$11.23 $11.23

Tomato (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$2.18 $2.18

$8.90 $8.90

Potato (1kg)

$3.00 $3.00

$1.12 $1.12

$6.74 $6.74

Onion (1kg)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.72 $1.72

$6.50 $6.50

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.28 $1.28

$4.84 $4.84

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$0.98 $0.98

$3.44 $3.44

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.16 $10.16

$8.12 $8.12

$19.30 $19.30

Wine (Bottle)

$15.16 $15.16

$9.10 $9.10

$25.27 $25.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.75 $1.75

$3.62 $3.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 $3.71

$1.54 $1.54

$7.19 $7.19

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.49 $1.49

$3.96 $3.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.9 $63.9

$34.39 $34.39

$130 $130

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.56 $2.56

$6.90 $6.90

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.26 $1.26

$3.15 $3.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.06 $30.06

$22.05 $22.05

$45.09 $45.09

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.76 $0.76

$1.36 $1.36

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

$30.2K $30.2K

$24.1K $24.1K

$36.3K $36.3K

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$25.2K $25.2K

$28.4K $28.4K

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

$207 $207

$120 $120

$385 $385

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

$57.0 $57.0

$29.80 $29.80

$99.3 $99.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.5 $71.5

$49.77 $49.77

$108 $108

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.91 $45.91

$20.02 $20.02

$142 $142

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.25 $22.25

$8.13 $8.13

$65.6 $65.6

Cinema Ticket

$14.13 $14.13

$10.60 $10.60

$20.18 $20.18

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

$1,385 $1,385

$807 $807

$3,191 $3,191

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.2K $22.2K

$11.8K $11.8K

$39.3K $39.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.1 $52.1

$28.90 $28.90

$79.8 $79.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.53 $42.53

$23.96 $23.96

$69.9 $69.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.9 $89.9

$60.0 $60.0

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$65.5 $65.5

$201 $201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,743 $1,743

$1,106 $1,106

$4,166 $4,166

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,422 $1,422

$941 $941

$2,766 $2,766

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,821 $2,821

$1,766 $1,766

$8,227 $8,227

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,370 $2,370

$1,585 $1,585

$5,168 $5,168

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,338 $3,338

$1,549 $1,549

$21.3K $21.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,615 $2,615

$1,166 $1,166

$10.7K $10.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,230 $4,230

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

By City in United States

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
801	Marietta, GA	61048	144	$1,230	$2,855	$3,465	$6,013	95.08	372.91
802	Marion, IL	17193	124	$1,050	$2,518	$2,279	$4,784	165.3	257.23
803	Marquette, MI	20488	104	$985	$2,045	$2,669	$4,391	15.53	309.71
804	Marshfield, WI	18429	118	$903	$2,362	$1,759	$4,380	51.82	326.46
805	Martha's Vineyard, MA	-	136	$1,281	$2,665	$2,881	$5,263	238.08	254.85
806	Martinez, CA	38297	131	$1,142	$2,596	$2,279	$5,115	51.95	368.27
807	Martinsburg, WV	16392	115	$1,133	$2,329	$2,542	$4,730	35.57	330.4
808	Marysville, WA	70714	129	$1,052	$2,571	$2,562	$4,892	16.58	332.95
809	Mason, OH	35000	131	$971	$2,645	$2,200	$4,752	16.8	168.92
810	Massapequa Park, NY	17109	129	$1,097	$2,582	$2,883	$4,905	51.46	356.63
811	Massapequa, NY	21355	132	$1,153	$2,616	$2,985	$5,163	43.54	338.66
812	Maui, HI	-	226	$1,326	$4,521	$4,181	$7,769	591.81	301.58
813	McAllen, TX	142210	88	$809	$1,749	$2,374	$3,490	23.85	374.31
814	McCook, NE	7400	129	$907	$2,590	$2,164	$4,922	51.46	243.88
815	McHenry, IL	27135	132	$952	$2,620	$2,728	$4,998	281.24	363.2
816	McKeesport, PA	22408	133	$1,203	$2,637	$3,008	$5,071	210.11	367.14
817	McKinney, TX	202690	132	$934	$2,619	$2,867	$4,693	159.38	407.23
818	McLean, VA	-	147	$1,018	$2,882	$2,356	$6,253	63.21	312.73
819	McMinnville, OR	30410	120	$818	$2,393	$1,927	$4,405	270.19	277.61
820	McMinnville, TN	30410	129	$1,105	$2,563	$2,665	$4,933	71.29	440.52
821	Meadville, PA	-	126	$976	$2,538	$2,169	$4,606	21.85	344.06
822	Mechanicsburg, PA	-	130	$1,084	$2,612	$2,953	$4,990	125.21	343.61
823	Medford, MA	56173	136	$1,026	$2,713	$2,721	$5,342	39.76	334.37
824	Medford, OR	56173	116	$946	$2,338	$2,268	$4,699	135.43	391.42
825	Media, PA	5700	149	$1,115	$2,977	$2,892	$5,220	185.29	286.82
826	Medina, OH	26000	133	$1,157	$2,654	$2,392	$4,986	193.1	284.88
827	Melbourne, AR	76068	131	$1,115	$2,648	$2,911	$5,005	246.06	104.75
828	Melbourne, FL	76068	146	$1,115	$2,928	$3,090	$5,168	79.27	376.07
829	Memphis, TN	633104	120	$1,069	$2,384	$2,560	$4,479	419.16	314.45
830	Menifee, CA	105000	151	$929	$3,059	$3,000	$5,362	102.93	386.03
831	Menlo Park, CA	33780	182	$1,283	$3,664	$2,865	$9,496	68.72	386.67
832	Menomonie, WI	15318	91	$934	$1,805	$1,984	$3,628	39.49	342.38
833	Mentor, OH	47044	124	$1,078	$2,483	$2,711	$4,526	249.12	341.53
834	Merced, CA	83316	125	$1,031	$2,546	$2,683	$4,825	87.69	319.04
835	Meridian, MS	38200	134	$1,026	$2,654	$3,021	$5,298	40.6	268.17
836	Merrill, WI	9000	135	$1,281	$2,691	$2,868	$5,135	56.51	314.31
837	Merrillville, IN	36444	128	$936	$2,563	$2,628	$4,779	43.45	395.81
838	Mesa, AZ	504258	139	$1,257	$2,803	$2,667	$5,271	146.61	382.13
839	Mesquite, NV	150108	125	$884	$2,505	$2,245	$4,586	104.91	191.95
840	Mesquite, TX	150108	129	$1,171	$2,553	$2,804	$4,972	34.45	418.72
841	Miami, FL	404048	179	$1,334	$3,569	$3,491	$7,406	233.98	354.78
842	Middleburg, FL	14000	116	$842	$2,266	$1,853	$4,211	152.15	219.59
843	Middlesex, NJ	13746	134	$950	$2,665	$2,279	$4,858	298.39	404.16
844	Middletown, NJ	-	149	$995	$3,035	$2,656	$5,837	69.53	398.71
845	Middletown, NY	47648	132	$1,027	$2,625	$2,838	$5,078	90.74	398.71
846	Middletown, OH	47648	121	$789	$2,432	$1,673	$4,367	105.16	413.94
847	Midland, MI	132524	121	$828	$2,382	$2,294	$3,312	408.85	337.57
848	Midland, TX	132524	132	$1,057	$2,654	$2,511	$5,042	214.75	321.72
849	Midlothian, TX	13821	129	$978	$2,550	$2,858	$5,019	266.78	420.54
850	Milford, PA	55021	120	$1,074	$2,386	$2,415	$4,729	31.55	379.08

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.