Cost of living in New York City

In New York City, United States, a single person typically needs around $4051 per month including rent. A family of four may spend about $8925 monthly.

How expensive is New York City compared to other cities?

New York City is 184% more expensive overall versus the European benchmark.

How does New York City compare to your city?

Comparison to your city is not available.

What drives the cost of living in New York City?

Who is New York City a good fit for?

New York City is most realistic when moving with a strong job offer or relocation package. Without high income, the housing-driven price level can be difficult to sustain.

FAQ

Why is New York City so expensive?

The high cost of living in New York City is primarily driven by rent and utilities, which significantly impact overall expenses.

Is food expensive in New York City?

Yes, food costs are 69% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the overall expense.

Is public transport affordable in New York City?

No, public transport is 434% higher than the European benchmark, making it a costly option for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
4051 $
Without Rent
1431 $
Rent & Utilities
2620 $
Food
807 $
Transport
399 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
5777 $
GDP per Capita
81,695 $
Freedom Index
8.39
Lifespan
77 years
Speak English
96%
Population
8.8M

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 24.7 $
Dinner 111 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 12.6 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 9.78 $
Capuccino 6.22 $
Coke, 330ml 3.16 $

Compare New York City with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.39 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 4.43 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.1 $
Eggs, 12 pack 5.36 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 16.6 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.7 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 19.2 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.78 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.13 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.75 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.74 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 3.22 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 3.62 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.57 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.88 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 20.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.49 $
Cigarette pack 17.1 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.88 $
Monthly Pass 138 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.02 $
Taxi, 8 km 27.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 156 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 10.5 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 10 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 7.97 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.36 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 122 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 187 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 69.3 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 2,361 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 3,996 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 2,702 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 5,005 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 19,111 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 3,215 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 5,777 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.73%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 144 $
Cinema, 1 seat 19.8 $
Haircut 25.4 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 111 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 65.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,717 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 20,585 $

Compare New York City with other top cities

Cayman Islands
New York City vs George Town (George Town is 10% less expensive)
Bahamas
New York City vs Nassau (Nassau is 32% less expensive) New York City vs Freeport (Freeport is 46% less expensive)
Vanuatu
New York City vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 42% less expensive) New York City vs Luganville (Luganville is 25% less expensive)
United States
New York City vs New York City (New York City has similar costs) New York City vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 21% less expensive) New York City vs Chicago (Chicago is 34% less expensive) New York City vs Houston (Houston is 45% less expensive) New York City vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 42% less expensive) New York City vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 37% less expensive) New York City vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 46% less expensive) New York City vs San Diego (San Diego is 17% less expensive) New York City vs Dallas (Dallas is 37% less expensive) New York City vs San Jose (San Jose is 9% less expensive)
Canada
New York City vs Toronto (Toronto is 36% less expensive) New York City vs Montreal (Montreal is 52% less expensive) New York City vs Calgary (Calgary is 47% less expensive) New York City vs Ottawa (Ottawa is 45% less expensive) New York City vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 56% less expensive) New York City vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 57% less expensive) New York City vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 39% less expensive) New York City vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 35% less expensive) New York City vs Brampton (Brampton is 47% less expensive) New York City vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 47% less expensive)
Barbados
New York City vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 66% less expensive) New York City vs Holetown (Holetown is 66% less expensive)
Panama
New York City vs Panama City (Panama City is 66% less expensive) New York City vs Colon (Colon is 71% less expensive) New York City vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 70% less expensive) New York City vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 74% less expensive) New York City vs David (David is 79% less expensive) New York City vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 76% less expensive) New York City vs Balboa (Balboa is 69% less expensive) New York City vs Pacora (Pacora is 69% less expensive) New York City vs Chitre (Chitre is 73% less expensive) New York City vs Penonome (Penonome is 73% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
New York City vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 69% less expensive) New York City vs Cayon (Cayon is 69% less expensive)
Cuba
New York City vs Havana (Havana is 75% less expensive) New York City vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 65% less expensive) New York City vs Holguin (Holguin is 68% less expensive) New York City vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 62% less expensive) New York City vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 74% less expensive) New York City vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 71% less expensive) New York City vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 62% less expensive) New York City vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 62% less expensive) New York City vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 73% less expensive) New York City vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 78% less expensive)
Costa Rica
New York City vs San Jose (San Jose is 69% less expensive) New York City vs Limon (Limon is 70% less expensive) New York City vs Liberia (Liberia is 78% less expensive) New York City vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 70% less expensive) New York City vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 68% less expensive) New York City vs Cartago (Cartago is 76% less expensive) New York City vs Heredia (Heredia is 69% less expensive) New York City vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 58% less expensive) New York City vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 68% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
New York City vs Castries (Castries is 71% less expensive) New York City vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 70% less expensive)
Jamaica
New York City vs Kingston (Kingston is 67% less expensive) New York City vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 81% less expensive) New York City vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 75% less expensive) New York City vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 71% less expensive) New York City vs May Pen (May Pen is 80% less expensive) New York City vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 76% less expensive) New York City vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 79% less expensive) New York City vs Linstead (Linstead is 74% less expensive) New York City vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 72% less expensive) New York City vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 72% less expensive)
El Salvador
New York City vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 71% less expensive) New York City vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 82% less expensive) New York City vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 71% less expensive) New York City vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 73% less expensive) New York City vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 71% less expensive) New York City vs Apopa (Apopa is 72% less expensive) New York City vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 70% less expensive) New York City vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 64% less expensive) New York City vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 73% less expensive) New York City vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 78% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
New York City vs St. John's (St. John's is 73% less expensive) New York City vs All Saints (All Saints is 73% less expensive)
Grenada
New York City vs St. George's (St. George's is 74% less expensive) New York City vs Grenville (Grenville is 74% less expensive)
Dominica
New York City vs Roseau (Roseau is 75% less expensive) New York City vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 72% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
New York City vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 76% less expensive) New York City vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 75% less expensive)
Belize
New York City vs Belize City (Belize City is 78% less expensive) New York City vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 73% less expensive) New York City vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 82% less expensive) New York City vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 67% less expensive) New York City vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 61% less expensive)
Guatemala
New York City vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 75% less expensive) New York City vs Mixco (Mixco is 84% less expensive) New York City vs Coban (Coban is 77% less expensive) New York City vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 81% less expensive) New York City vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 78% less expensive) New York City vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 78% less expensive) New York City vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 78% less expensive) New York City vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 79% less expensive) New York City vs Flores (Flores is 79% less expensive) New York City vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 80% less expensive)
Honduras
New York City vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 80% less expensive) New York City vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 74% less expensive) New York City vs Choloma (Choloma is 85% less expensive) New York City vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 84% less expensive) New York City vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 78% less expensive) New York City vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 79% less expensive) New York City vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 82% less expensive) New York City vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 82% less expensive) New York City vs Yoro (Yoro is 82% less expensive) New York City vs La Lima (La Lima is 79% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
New York City vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 80% less expensive) New York City vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 74% less expensive) New York City vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 81% less expensive) New York City vs Higuey (Higuey is 81% less expensive) New York City vs La Vega (La Vega is 86% less expensive) New York City vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 79% less expensive) New York City vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 82% less expensive) New York City vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 87% less expensive) New York City vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 85% less expensive) New York City vs Bonao (Bonao is 87% less expensive)
Nicaragua
New York City vs Managua (Managua is 81% less expensive) New York City vs Leon (Leon is 84% less expensive) New York City vs Masaya (Masaya is 82% less expensive) New York City vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 86% less expensive) New York City vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 84% less expensive) New York City vs Esteli (Esteli is 85% less expensive) New York City vs Granada (Granada is 83% less expensive) New York City vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 89% less expensive) New York City vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 84% less expensive) New York City vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 78% less expensive)