Cost of Living in the USA
The cost of living in the United States varies dramatically depending on the city, the state, and your lifestyle. This guide breaks down the typical expenses so you can budget realistically before and after you move.
This page provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Prices change constantly; the figures below are approximate ranges meant to give you a sense of scale.
1. Housing (Rent)
City Comparison (2026)
| City | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $2,800-3,500 | $3,500-4,500 | $4,500-6,000 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $2,500-3,800 | $3,500-4,800 | $4,500-6,500 |
| Boston | $2,000-2,800 | $2,500-3,500 | $3,200-4,500 |
| Los Angeles | $1,800-2,500 | $2,200-3,200 | $3,000-4,500 |
| Seattle | $1,600-2,300 | $2,000-2,800 | $2,700-3,800 |
| Austin | $1,400-1,900 | $1,700-2,400 | $2,200-3,200 |
| Denver | $1,400-1,800 | $1,700-2,300 | $2,200-3,000 |
| Chicago | $1,200-1,800 | $1,600-2,400 | $2,000-3,200 |
| Atlanta | $1,100-1,500 | $1,400-1,900 | $1,800-2,600 |
| Phoenix | $1,000-1,400 | $1,200-1,700 | $1,600-2,300 |
Additional Housing Costs
- Security deposit: 1 month's rent (refundable)
- First and last month: Often required upfront when you move in
- Application fee: $25-75 per adult
- Renter's insurance: $15-30/month
2. Utilities
Average Monthly Costs
- Electricity: $80-150/month (depends on state and season)
- Gas: $30-80/month (heating, cooking)
- Water and sewer: $40-70/month
- Trash: $10-30/month
- Internet: $50-100/month (50-1,000 Mbps)
- Cell phone: $40-80/month
Total utilities: $250-500/month
3. Food
Groceries
Monthly budget (1 person):
- Budget: $250-350/month
- Moderate: $350-500/month
- Comfortable: $500-700/month
Typical Supermarket Prices
- Bread: $2-4
- Milk (1 gallon = 3.8 L): $3-5
- Eggs (dozen): $3-6
- Chicken (1 lb = 450 g): $3-6
- Apples (1 lb): $2-3
- Rice (2 lbs): $3-5
- Cheese (8 oz = 227 g): $4-7
Supermarkets
- Budget: Aldi, Walmart, Costco (membership required)
- Mid-range: Kroger, Safeway, Publix
- Premium: Whole Foods, Trader Joe's
Restaurants
- Fast food (meal): $8-12
- Casual restaurant (entrée): $15-25 + 15-20% tip
- Mid-range restaurant (meal): $25-40 + tip
- Fine dining: $60-150+ per person
- Coffee (latte): $4-6
4. Transportation
Car (ownership)
- New car purchase: $30,000-50,000
- Used car purchase: $10,000-25,000
- Monthly payment (financing): $300-600/month
- Auto insurance: $100-300/month (varies enormously by state, age, record)
- Gas: $100-200/month ($3-4/gallon depending on state)
- Maintenance: $50-100/month on average
- Parking: $0-500/month (large cities)
- Registration and DMV: $50-200/year
Total car: $550-1,500/month
Public Transit
- Monthly pass NYC (MTA): $132
- Monthly pass San Francisco (BART/Muni): $80-100
- Monthly pass Chicago (CTA): $105
- Monthly pass Boston (MBTA): $90
Note: A car is often essential outside major cities.
Other
- Uber/Lyft (short trip): $10-25
- Bike: Bikeshare $15-20/month
5. Healthcare
Health Insurance
- Employer (employee share): $100-400/month
- Individual (marketplace): $300-800/month
- Family: $1,000-2,000/month
Medical Costs (with insurance)
- Annual deductible: $1,000-5,000
- Primary care copay: $20-50
- Specialist copay: $40-80
- Emergency room: $100-500 copay
- Prescriptions: $5-50 depending on the drug
Costs Without Insurance (avoid at all costs)
- Doctor's visit: $150-300
- Emergency room: $1,000-3,000
- Hospital (per day): $5,000-15,000+
Health coverage is so consequential that we devote an entire page to it: see the US healthcare system.
6. Other Everyday Expenses
Clothing
- Monthly budget: $50-200/month
- Jeans: $30-80
- Athletic shoes: $60-150
Entertainment
- Netflix/streaming: $15-20/month per service
- Movie ticket: $12-18
- Gym: $30-100/month
- Bars/clubs night out: $30-100/evening
Services
- Haircut: $25-60 (+ 15-20% tip)
- Dry cleaning: $5-10/item
- Laundromat: $3-5/load
Taxes
- Income tax: Withheld directly from salary (25-40% total)
- Sales tax: Added at purchase (0-10% depending on state)
- Property tax: If you own (1-3% of home value per year)
For the full picture, see our guide to taxes in the USA.
7. Sample Monthly Budgets
Single Person - San Francisco (tech worker)
| Rent (studio) | $3,000 |
| Utilities + internet | $200 |
| Groceries | $400 |
| Restaurants/going out | $500 |
| Transit (pass + Uber) | $150 |
| Health insurance | $200 |
| Miscellaneous | $300 |
| TOTAL | $4,750/month |
Single Person - Austin (mid-level)
| Rent (1 bedroom) | $1,800 |
| Utilities + internet | $180 |
| Groceries | $350 |
| Restaurants | $300 |
| Car (payment + insurance + gas) | $600 |
| Health insurance | $150 |
| Miscellaneous | $250 |
| TOTAL | $3,630/month |
Family (2 adults + 2 children) - Chicago
| Rent (3 bedrooms) | $2,500 |
| Utilities + internet | $300 |
| Groceries | $800 |
| Restaurants | $400 |
| Cars (two vehicles) | $1,000 |
| Health insurance (family) | $600 |
| Childcare / school | $1,500 |
| Miscellaneous | $500 |
| TOTAL | $7,600/month |
8. State Comparison
Expensive States
- California: High rents + high income tax (top rate 13.3%)
- New York: NYC very expensive, rest of the state moderate
- Hawaii: The most expensive (island, everything imported)
- Massachusetts: Boston and surroundings expensive
Affordable States
- Texas: No income tax, reasonable rents (outside Austin)
- Florida: No income tax, moderate rents
- Arizona: Low cost of living (Phoenix)
- Tennessee: No income tax, affordable
9. Tips to Save Money
Housing
- Live with roommates
- Choose up-and-coming neighborhoods
- Negotiate rent (especially in tight markets)
Transportation
- Buy a reliable used car (Toyota, Honda)
- Live close to work (saves gas + time)
- Use public transit where available
Food
- Cook at home
- Buy in bulk (Costco, Sam's Club)
- Use coupons and apps (Ibotta, Rakuten)
- Avoid eating out frequently
General
- Take advantage of free activities (parks, museums free on certain days)
- Buy second-hand (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace)
- Shop around for insurance regularly
10. Income Needed to Live Comfortably
By City (single person)
- San Francisco: $100,000-120,000/year
- New York: $90,000-110,000/year
- Seattle, Boston: $80,000-100,000/year
- Austin, Denver: $65,000-80,000/year
- Chicago: $60,000-75,000/year
- Phoenix, Atlanta: $50,000-65,000/year
Note: "Comfortably" means covering rent, daily life, savings, and leisure without financial stress. To see how salaries match up, read our guide to working in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the United States cheaper or more expensive than Europe?
It depends entirely on the city. Coastal hubs like San Francisco and New York are among the most expensive places in the world to rent, while many inland and southern cities are comparable to or cheaper than mid-sized European cities. Salaries, however, are often substantially higher in the US, which can offset the higher costs.
How much rent should I budget for?
A common rule of thumb is to spend no more than about 30% of your gross income on rent. In expensive coastal cities many people exceed this, which is part of why sharing an apartment with roommates is so common among young professionals.
Why is the sales tax not included in the displayed price?
In the US the price on the shelf almost never includes sales tax; it is added at the register. The rate combines a state and a local component and ranges from 0% in a few states to over 10% in some cities. See our taxes guide for details.
Do I really need a car?
In a handful of dense cities (New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago) you can live without one. Almost everywhere else, owning a car is effectively a requirement for getting to work and running errands. See our driving guide.
Prices, taxes and insurance costs change frequently. Treat the figures above as orientation, not as a quote, and always check current local numbers before committing.
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