Cost of Living in United States - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: United States
Address: US

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,160 (excluding rent), and $2,824 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,773 (excluding rent), and $5,499 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.72 $19.72

$11.83 $11.83

$39.44 $39.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.5 $73.5

$49.02 $49.02

$147 $147

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.68 $11.68

$10.16 $10.16

$15.24 $15.24

Cappuccino

$5.25 $5.25

$3.01 $3.01

$8.02 $8.02

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

$2.49 $2.49

$1.94 $1.94

$3.89 $3.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.47 $1.47

$2.94 $2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$4.10 $4.10

$9.22 $9.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.10 $7.10

$5.07 $5.07

$12.18 $12.18

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.54 $0.54

$2.11 $2.11

White Bread (500g)

$3.62 $3.62

$1.96 $1.96

$6.67 $6.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$1.98 $1.98

$8.62 $8.62

Eggs

$4.27 $4.27

$1.97 $1.97

$7.56 $7.56

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.81 $12.81

$6.56 $6.56

$26.28 $26.28

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.04 $12.04

$5.43 $5.43

$21.75 $21.75

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.53 $16.53

$10.04 $10.04

$26.78 $26.78

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$2.24 $2.24

$9.00 $9.00

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.12 $1.12

$4.50 $4.50

Oranges (1kg)

$4.63 $4.63

$2.15 $2.15

$11.34 $11.34

Tomato (1kg)

$4.79 $4.79

$2.10 $2.10

$8.58 $8.58

Potato (1kg)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.11 $1.11

$6.65 $6.65

Onion (1kg)

$3.14 $3.14

$1.77 $1.77

$6.71 $6.71

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.33 $1.33

$5.01 $5.01

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.03 $1.03

$3.59 $3.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.11 $10.11

$8.09 $8.09

$19.22 $19.22

Wine (Bottle)

$14.90 $14.90

$8.94 $8.94

$24.83 $24.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 $2.00

$1.77 $1.77

$3.65 $3.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 $3.70

$1.54 $1.54

$7.18 $7.18

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.53 $1.53

$4.09 $4.09

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$66.0 $66.0

$35.51 $35.51

$134 $134

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.79 $3.79

$2.63 $2.63

$7.08 $7.08

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.22 $1.22

$3.04 $3.04

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.91 $29.91

$21.94 $21.94

$44.87 $44.87

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 $0.94

$0.75 $0.75

$1.34 $1.34

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

$30.5K $30.5K

$24.3K $24.3K

$36.7K $36.7K

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.9K $24.9K

$28.1K $28.1K

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

$210 $210

$121 $121

$390 $390

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

$58.1 $58.1

$30.33 $30.33

$101 $101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.5 $70.5

$49.05 $49.05

$107 $107

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.42 $45.42

$19.80 $19.80

$141 $141

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.94 $21.94

$8.01 $8.01

$64.7 $64.7

Cinema Ticket

$14.28 $14.28

$10.71 $10.71

$20.40 $20.40

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

$1,399 $1,399

$815 $815

$3,223 $3,223

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.8K $22.8K

$12.1K $12.1K

$40.3K $40.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.4 $51.4

$28.54 $28.54

$78.7 $78.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.81 $41.81

$23.56 $23.56

$68.7 $68.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.8 $88.8

$59.2 $59.2

$128 $128

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$65.3 $65.3

$201 $201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,737 $1,737

$1,102 $1,102

$4,150 $4,150

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,418 $1,418

$939 $939

$2,759 $2,759

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,929 $2,929

$1,833 $1,833

$8,542 $8,542

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,417 $2,417

$1,617 $1,617

$5,271 $5,271

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,365 $3,365

$1,444 $1,444

$20.5K $20.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,688 $2,688

$1,299 $1,299

$9,639 $9,639

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,394 $4,394

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

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

Last update: March 9, 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)
1001	Palm Desert, CA	51163	160	$977	$3,237	$2,613	$5,764	130.44	360.18
1002	Palm Springs, CA	44575	148	$1,211	$2,973	$3,141	$6,509	65.7	356.94
1003	Palmdale, CA	152750	137	$1,040	$2,732	$3,083	$5,648	339.61	351.66
1004	Palmer, AK	6000	135	$1,147	$2,702	$3,010	$5,024	114.88	221.84
1005	Palmetto, FL	14002	130	$1,045	$2,542	$2,715	$5,129	135.45	342.85
1006	Palo Alto, CA	64403	244	$1,538	$4,803	$3,788	$9,738	79.55	357.26
1007	Panama City, FL	36484	140	$1,107	$2,808	$2,127	$4,524	203.82	347.55
1008	Paola, KS	5600	126	$972	$2,492	$2,645	$4,822	128.85	377.79
1009	Paris, TX	25171	130	$1,018	$2,618	$2,606	$4,954	27.96	266.17
1010	Park City, UT	8500	128	$1,129	$2,536	$2,912	$5,094	191.59	300.86
1011	Parker, CO	-	126	$1,017	$2,507	$2,706	$4,964	96.98	307.89
1012	Parkersburg, WV	29000	88	$888	$1,784	$2,019	$3,113	234.32	357.24
1013	Parkville, MD	-	133	$1,104	$2,679	$2,803	$5,167	264.17	315.33
1014	Parma, OH	79982	132	$1,004	$2,672	$2,372	$4,546	255.02	380.15
1015	Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ	53238	133	$831	$2,610	$1,907	$5,213	129.34	343.82
1016	Pasadena, CA	137122	206	$1,078	$4,109	$3,202	$7,618	166.46	338.39
1017	Pasco, WA	77108	117	$1,046	$2,348	$2,610	$4,351	118.13	346.27
1018	Paso Robles, CA	29793	133	$1,132	$2,694	$2,375	$5,571	18.14	212.23
1019	Passaic, NJ	67974	139	$1,380	$2,781	$3,415	$5,529	172.79	374.77
1020	Paterson, NJ	147000	135	$1,248	$2,728	$2,756	$6,252	118.43	416.7
1021	Pawtucket, RI	72998	140	$1,188	$2,741	$2,695	$5,604	46.18	370.73
1022	Pearland, TX	91000	129	$1,066	$2,529	$2,362	$4,980	32.9	408.98
1023	Pembroke Pines, FL	150064	164	$1,142	$3,271	$2,584	$5,899	574.71	415.08
1024	Pensacola, FL	53248	130	$982	$2,555	$2,375	$4,634	135.4	384.37
1025	Peoria, AZ	113150	137	$1,286	$2,765	$2,417	$5,493	19.96	341.67
1026	Peoria, IL	113150	99	$1,085	$1,953	$2,090	$3,804	75.46	270.03
1027	Perkasie, PA	9000	147	$1,232	$2,883	$3,894	$6,032	90.74	378.93
1028	Perth Amboy, NJ	48607	131	$939	$2,662	$2,882	$5,017	111.3	368.28
1029	Petaluma, CA	60438	146	$1,347	$2,938	$3,327	$5,715	186.89	295.9
1030	Petoskey, MI	5700	121	$921	$2,439	$2,168	$4,743	84.9	320.26
1031	Pharr, TX	61360	129	$1,023	$2,613	$2,495	$4,872	148.84	385.89
1032	Philadelphia, PA	-	146	$1,295	$2,897	$3,181	$5,842	86.08	332.85
1033	Phoenix, AZ	1608139	141	$1,186	$2,872	$2,823	$5,272	27.06	321.65
1034	Pierre, SD	14095	129	$1,028	$2,605	$2,485	$4,956	160.54	270.96
1035	Pikeville, KY	6700	131	$1,048	$2,660	$2,691	$4,889	143.83	277.58
1036	Pikeville, TN	1600	129	$1,191	$2,560	$2,282	$5,009	114.35	225.17
1037	Pinehurst, NC	17000	125	$1,000	$2,536	$2,341	$4,714	73.28	407.29
1038	Pinellas Park, FL	47354	124	$955	$2,527	$2,765	$4,668	111.32	444.99
1039	Piscataway, NJ	52658	158	$1,014	$3,147	$2,709	$5,793	54.88	365.69
1040	Pittsburgh, PA	311647	127	$1,180	$2,550	$2,888	$5,122	158.33	306.6
1041	Pittsfield, MA	43927	127	$926	$2,489	$2,336	$6,187	76.06	326.06
1042	Plainfield, IL	40466	135	$791	$2,659	$2,413	$4,969	94.89	385.73
1043	Plano, TX	288253	138	$1,225	$2,757	$3,224	$5,856	72.23	393.54
1044	Plantation, FL	85938	129	$1,028	$2,606	$2,560	$5,016	74.21	410.07
1045	Plattsburgh, NY	19841	104	$1,083	$2,090	$3,093	$4,463	30.12	295.55
1046	Pleasanton, CA	81777	202	$1,443	$3,994	$3,351	$7,325	36.93	351.13
1047	Plymouth, MI	61217	128	$1,214	$2,581	$2,649	$4,970	46.1	318.89
1048	Pocatello, ID	56320	92	$939	$1,818	$1,924	$3,449	85.61	359.79
1049	Pomona, CA	154271	138	$1,029	$2,725	$2,610	$5,550	22.85	376.16
1050	Ponca City, OK	25387	122	$764	$2,466	$2,047	$4,547	61.27	127.02

United States Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

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

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.