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)
1151	Saint Joseph, MO	76780	120	$928	$2,416	$2,332	$4,409	132.53	401.75
1152	Saint Louis, MO	301578	123	$1,179	$2,485	$2,851	$5,057	177.58	366.79
1153	Saint Paul, MN	285068	119	$1,175	$2,380	$2,677	$5,119	69.41	373.43
1154	Saint Petersburg, FL	244324	147	$1,095	$2,909	$2,675	$5,579	76.03	408.17
1155	Salem, MA	155469	171	$1,386	$3,474	$3,054	$6,001	154.14	354.47
1156	Salem, OH	155469	121	$774	$2,426	$1,776	$4,465	48.67	356.44
1157	Salem, OR	155469	135	$1,131	$2,741	$2,692	$5,003	22.49	347.81
1158	Salina, KS	47707	96	$1,092	$1,928	$1,965	$3,967	67.21	329.97
1159	Salinas, CA	157380	186	$1,470	$3,699	$2,766	$7,126	121.86	324.87
1160	Salisbury, MD	28480	127	$1,209	$2,508	$2,867	$4,976	51.78	338.81
1161	Salt Lake City, UT	200133	135	$1,119	$2,649	$2,789	$5,017	27.7	355.91
1162	San Angelo, TX	99893	175	$902	$3,514	$2,951	$4,538	46.26	356.92
1163	San Antonio, TX	1434625	121	$1,087	$2,400	$2,539	$4,678	103.91	392.84
1164	San Bernardino, CA	220000	155	$1,241	$3,137	$2,806	$5,792	103.91	376.88
1165	San Clemente, CA	65526	169	$1,373	$3,395	$3,058	$6,435	49.61	276.98
1166	San Diego, CA	1386932	197	$1,313	$3,970	$3,257	$7,481	33.26	326.5
1167	San Dimas, CA	35714	130	$1,098	$2,601	$2,986	$5,126	159.63	357.72
1168	San Francisco, CA	873965	227	$1,522	$4,474	$3,884	$8,593	145.1	336.38
1169	San Jose, CA	1035317	221	$1,383	$4,363	$3,486	$8,154	49.85	375.08
1170	San Leandro, CA	88815	146	$1,279	$2,858	$3,276	$5,628	50.93	398.05
1171	San Luis Obispo, CA	47339	163	$988	$3,275	$2,388	$6,875	56.54	315.12
1172	San Marcos, TX	44894	132	$1,027	$2,616	$2,583	$5,095	93.44	337.52
1173	San Mateo, CA	103536	221	$1,308	$4,387	$2,961	$8,641	67.87	366.97
1174	San Rafael, CA	58704	222	$1,319	$4,442	$2,865	$6,730	129.61	332.48
1175	San Ramon, CA	75995	122	$1,129	$2,490	$2,240	$4,659	41.66	386.42
1176	Sandpoint, ID	9000	149	$934	$2,912	$2,845	$5,740	165.38	304.27
1177	Sandusky, OH	24758	144	$959	$2,897	$2,265	$5,331	13.39	251.64
1178	Sanford, NC	30261	127	$1,012	$2,562	$2,676	$4,852	24.42	303.53
1179	Santa Ana, CA	335400	159	$1,039	$3,205	$2,865	$6,240	39.92	363.12
1180	Santa Anna, TX	1000	129	$909	$2,548	$2,175	$5,024	89.78	209.03
1181	Santa Barbara, CA	91196	187	$1,262	$3,707	$3,111	$7,814	253.6	318.52
1182	Santa Clara, CA	130365	202	$1,412	$4,030	$3,570	$7,913	68.22	389.61
1183	Santa Clarita, CA	182371	186	$1,271	$3,733	$3,280	$6,351	58.84	353.27
1184	Santa Cruz, CA	64220	212	$1,235	$4,209	$3,572	$7,569	48.26	307.39
1185	Santa Fe, NM	87505	145	$1,012	$2,893	$2,901	$5,281	34.21	234.17
1186	Santa Maria, CA	107408	161	$1,071	$3,258	$2,369	$5,701	84.25	366.14
1187	Santa Monica, CA	89736	225	$1,173	$4,457	$3,172	$9,587	97.02	364.92
1188	Santa Rosa, CA	174972	170	$1,254	$3,370	$3,145	$6,448	41.27	319.53
1189	Sarasota, FL	52942	158	$1,084	$3,206	$3,013	$6,094	258.29	370.31
1190	Saratoga Springs, NY	28491	146	$1,222	$2,948	$2,485	$5,079	68.36	335.65
1191	Saratoga Springs, UT,	28491	132	$969	$2,663	$2,954	$4,969	83.31	431.89
1192	Saratoga, CA	30153	144	$1,330	$2,864	$2,907	$5,516	66.53	324.98
1193	Satellite Beach, FL	11088	131	$1,128	$2,667	$3,051	$4,966	77.29	403.38
1194	Savannah, GA	146444	135	$1,101	$2,688	$2,337	$4,995	210.22	354.82
1195	Schaumburg, IL	78723	165	$1,078	$3,320	$3,173	$5,760	36.06	376.72
1196	Schenectady, NY	67047	125	$1,061	$2,482	$2,979	$4,372	350.8	355.27
1197	Scottsbluff, NE	15039	129	$1,038	$2,606	$2,782	$4,923	29.06	324.63
1198	Scottsdale, AZ	241361	154	$1,263	$3,073	$2,602	$5,742	68.02	311.43
1199	Scranton, PA	72861	111	$883	$2,209	$2,400	$3,944	172.55	389.58
1200	SeaTac, WA	31454	159	$1,212	$3,146	$2,936	$5,836	46.69	294.69

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.